The Temptations is a four-hour television miniseries broadcast in two-hour halves on NBC, based upon the history of one of Motown's longest-lived acts, The Temptations. Executive produced by former Motown executive Suzanne de Passe, produced by Otis Williams and Temptations manager Shelley Berger, and based upon Williams’ Temptations autobiography, the miniseries was originally broadcast on November 1 and November 2, 1998. It was filmed on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1998. Allan Arkush directed the miniseries.
Overview The miniseries was based upon Otis Williams' book; as such, it came from his perspective: the focus of the story tended to be on Williams and Melvin Franklin, with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks seen as antagonists for much of the second half (although Kendricks was still given a more sympathetic portrayal than Ruffin). Dennis Edwards was not heavily focused upon, nor was much said of the problems he later had with Otis Williams. Nevertheless, the miniseries gave a general overview of both the history of the group and that of Motown, and, thanks to de Passe's connection, the film was able to use authentic props and locations.
A number of liberties were taken with factual events for dramatization purposes: In the miniseries, during a 1964 New Year's Motown party, Al Bryant is reluctant to perform another encore, and is fired from the group following a backstage altercation with Bryant throwing a beer bottle at Paul Williams. In reality, the incident happened in October 1963, but it was Williams who was reluctant to do another encore. Bryant would be fired two months later for being uncooperative following an annual Christmas party. The group's trademark four-headed microphone doesn't debut until Edwards joins the group, but in reality, it debuted in 1966 and in fact, Ruffin was responsible for creating it. The miniseries shows David Ruffin developing ego problems and suggesting to change the band's name to "David Ruffin and the Temptations" in early 1966. In reality, it did not happen until late 1967 when The Supremes were re-branded as "Diana Ross and the Supremes". In the miniseries, Edwards is visibly angered when Ruffin steals his microphone during a concert performance. In actuality, Edwards claims he gave the microphone and was appreciative for Ruffin's presence. While the miniseries dramatically and somewhat accurately portrays Paul Williams's death by suicide, in real life he was found dead in an alley in a car, and not in a parking lot as portrayed. In the miniseries it stated that the Temptations left Atlantic Records after recording one album. They actually recorded two albums for Atlantic; Hear to Tempt You in 1977 and Bare Back in 1978. Another inaccuracy is the depiction of Ruffin, Kendricks, and Edwards performing together before the 1982 reunion tour; in reality, Ruffin and Kendricks did not start performing together until 1985, with Edwards joining them in 1989 after the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. David Ruffin was not found dead (after being unceremoniously dumped out of a car) near a hospital, and then taken to a morgue where he would not be properly identified for a week. In reality, he had suffered a drug overdose, and was taken to the hospital by his chauffeur who notified attending staff of Ruffin's identity. Because no one claimed his body immediately after his death, his corpse lay in the morgue for two days; once Ruffin's family was informed of his death, they claimed his body the next day. In the miniseries, Melvin Franklin apparently dies in his mother's kitchen. In reality, he died from heart failure at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after being admitted following a series of seizures. As Franklin's death was still fresh in the minds of the miniseries' creators (he died in 1995), it was decided that the miniseries would not present Franklin's death as it actually occurred.
As a result, Otis Williams and the producers would be sued by several people portrayed in the film and their families, notably Melvin Franklin's mother and the children and estate of David Ruffin.
Although the movie is set mostly in Detroit and Los Angeles, the producers chose to shoot the film in Pittsburgh, presumably to take advantage of the many different architectural and geographical looks that Pittsburgh offers. De Passe Entertainment had, some six years earlier, shot The Jacksons: An American Dream in Pittsburgh as well.
Plot
Part one (November 1, 1998) In 1958, a teenage Otis Williams is running to meet his friend Elbridge "Al" Bryant at a musical performance by The Cadillacs. After the concert that inspired Otis to pursue a music career, Otis and Al go to a barber where they get the Tony Curtis and DA-style process. When Otis goes home for dinner, his stepfather is angry about the new hairstyle and pressures him to work at the assembly line instead of going into music, which Otis heatedly rejects. Six months later, Otis and Al along with two new band members sing on a street corner when they see another group of singers, the Voicemasters, across the street, and are impressed by one singer's bass voice. The next day after school, Otis chases the bass singer named Melvin Franklin before asking him to join his group, Otis Williams & the Siberians. Melvin agrees on the condition that his mother approves, which she later does with Otis' convincing.
The group is singing after school one day when they notice a group of girls watching them. Upon seeing this, the group follows them while singing "Earth Angel". The girls go their separate ways until one of them, Josephine, stays behind before Otis asks her out. The next Saturday, the group hears that they’re wanted at a radio station studio that’s revealed to be in the basement of a run-down apartment. Radio station owner Johnnie May Matthews declares herself their new manager and producer, and also changes their name to Otis Williams and the Distants. In April 1960, the group is waiting to perform at a party where they meet The Primes singers Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks, The Primettes (who later became The Supremes), The Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson and Motown Records founder and owner Berry Gordy. The Primes and Primettes perform and the Distants are impressed by their sound. After they perform, Otis and Melvin go to see Berry Gordy, who gives them a business card. Johnnie shows up with a new car she bought using the group’s money while showing them plenty of extra money. Awestruck, they ask about when they get paid, which angers Johnnie and she immediately fires them before driving away. Al and two other members promptly quit the group.
Shortly after, Melvin tells Otis that Eddie and Paul recently left their own group and are interested in joining them. Otis is reluctant, but ultimately accepts when Al rejoins the group. With this new line-up, they rename themselves the Elgins. Paul teaches them how to dance and becomes their unofficial choreographer, while Eddie becomes their falsetto singer. In March 1961, Otis goes to Motown Studios to meet Berry Gordy. Berry asks the group to come up with a better group name. After waiting outside the studio for hours coming up with a new name, a secretary named Martha Reeves finds them outside and calls them in to meet Berry. He asks them for their name, to which Otis replies "The Temptations".
Berry likes the name and agrees to hear them sing. After hearing them perform "Oh Mother of Mine" (which would become their debut single for Motown) Berry enthusiastically signs them. The group is now in high spirits and make a pact to never leave the group. Otis arrives home to find out that Josephine is pregnant, and although he is shocked, he promises to take responsibility. Otis and Josephine were married shortly after and later gave birth to their son, Lamont. While the group made moderately successful records such as "Paradise" and "I Want a Love I Can See" as well as getting real choreography from Cholly Atkins, they were known as "The hitless Temptations" during their first three years at Motown. The group start to doubt themselves with Al becoming more volatile. After performing at a New Year's Eve party, Al is immediately fired from the group for assaulting Paul. The remaining four go back on stage to perform the classic party song "Shout". Jimmy Ruffin and his younger brother David Ruffin go onstage, singing along with the group. The group is impressed with the duo's singing, especially David's. After the party, all of them (except for Jimmy) go to Melvin's mother's house to eat. While they eat and talk, the four invite David to join, which he accepts. They make a toast to the future success of The Temptations.
In January 1964, the group goes to Hitsville to record "The Way You Do the Things You Do". Shortly after the song hits the charts, the group goes on tour with various other Motown artists, such as The Vandellas and Marvin Gaye. In November 1964, Smokey writes them another song called "My Girl". The song debuts early the next year and becomes a massive success, reaching number one on the charts. The group enjoys their newfound success and wealth, spending money on themselves and their loved ones.
By early 1966, however, David becomes arrogant and attempts to take sole credit for the group's success. He also begins using drugs and starts showing up late for rehearsals and meetings, if at all. Soon after recording "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", Otis and Melvin pay David a visit, warning him to clean up his act or else be fired. Berry then introduces the group to their new manager Shelly Berger. Shelly plans to expand the Temptations' fanbase to the mainstream white audience. After some reluctance and consideration, they agree and are put on a month-long tour with The Supremes. The tour is successful and gets them to the Copacabana, although David considers his friend Flynn to be his new manager instead of Shelly. Flynn informs the group that David wants to change their name to "David Ruffin & The Temptations" or else he will not perform, which they reject. David shows up anyway to perform "I'm Losing You" before leaving in a separate limo. After the show, all of the others but Eddie vote to kick him out. David rushes to Hitsville in his limo. While the four watch from a window, Shelly meets David outside and hands him a note informing him of their decision. David immediately gets angry and yells at them through the window before driving off, after which Melvin rhetorically asks "So now what"?
Part two (November 2, 1998)