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  • The Temptations Episode #1.1 (Season 1, Episode 1)
  • TV Episode | 87 min | Biography, Drama, Music

The Temptations

Episode #1.1 (Season 1, Episode 1)
TV Episode | 87 min | Biography, Drama, Music

David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams and Otis Williams are five former street corner singers who managed to become Motown legends. With a sound that's doo-wop, pop and hip-hop, they are rhythm and blues royalty. ...See moreDavid Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams and Otis Williams are five former street corner singers who managed to become Motown legends. With a sound that's doo-wop, pop and hip-hop, they are rhythm and blues royalty. The Temptations had 16 #1 singles on the Billboard charts and received three Grammy Awards. But the climb to the top was plagued by competing egos and repeated drug and alcohol abuse. In 1958 Detroit, Michigan, 17-year-old singer Otis Williams partners with 16-year-old Melvin Franklin to form The Siberians. They quickly come to the attention of Johnnie Mae Matthews who becomes their manager, producer and promoter. Meanwhile, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams are burning up the stages of Detroit as The Primes, who are already signed to Motown by entrepreneur/producer Berry Gory. After Johnnie Mae drops The Siberians, and after The Primes disband, Paul, Eddie, Otis and Melvin join to become The Temptations, eventually adding David Ruffin to the group. With their first hit "The Way You Do The Things You Do," The Temptations begin touring with the Motortown Revue, doing the standard "one-nighters" and living in cheap hotels. Life on the road proves to be difficult for the young men, which leads Paul into alcohol dependency and Otis to infidelity. The hit "My Girl" sends the group soaring to the top of the charts, but personal demons plague each of the members. Even after "Cloud Nine" wins The Temptations their first Grammy, their personal lives continue to disintegrate. Eventually, the group is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but the group overall pays a heavy price. David Ruffin dies of a cocaine overdose; Eddie Kendricks develops lung cancer and Melvin Franklin dies from overmedication. Today, Otis Williams continues to tour with a revised lineup of The Temptations, keeping alive the hot sounds and memories of Eddie, David, Paul and Melvin. See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writers
Robert Johnson (teleplay) | Kevin Arkadie (teleplay)
Producer
Cinematographer
Casting Directors
Jaki Brown (as Jaki Brown-Karman) | Canice Kennedy | Robyn M. Mitchell
Production Designer
Status
Edit Released
Updated Nov 1, 1998

Release date
Nov 1, 1998 (United States)

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Cast

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72 cast members
Name Known for
Charles Malik Whitfield
Otis Williams Otis Williams   See fewer
D.B. Woodside
Melvin Franklin Melvin Franklin   See fewer
Terron Brooks
Eddie Kendricks Eddie Kendricks   See fewer
Christian Payton
Paul Williams Paul Williams   See fewer
Leon
David Ruffin David Ruffin   See fewer
Alan Rosenberg
Shelly Berger Shelly Berger   See fewer
Jenifer Lewis
Mama Rose Mama Rose   See fewer
Gina Ravera
Josephine Josephine   See fewer
Obba Babatundé
Berry Gordy Berry Gordy   See fewer
Erik Michael Tristan
Smokey Robinson Smokey Robinson   See fewer
J. August Richards
Richard Street Richard Street   See fewer
Charles Ley
Dennis Edwards Dennis Edwards   See fewer
Vanessa Bell Calloway
Johnnie Mae Matthews Johnnie Mae Matthews   See fewer
Mel Jackson
Norman Whitfield Norman Whitfield   See fewer
Vincent A. Ponder
James 'Pee-Wee' Crawford James 'Pee-Wee' Crawford   See fewer
Chaz Lamar Shepherd
Elbridge 'Al' Bryant Elbridge 'Al' Bryant   See fewer
Stevland Parks
Lamont, age 12 Lamont, age 12   See fewer
Christopher Reid
Joltin' Joe Joltin' Joe   See fewer
Chrystal Bates
Mrs. Rogers Mrs. Rogers   See fewer
Bianca Lawson
Diana Ross Diana Ross   See fewer
Melissa Cardello Linton
Florence Ballard (as Melissa Mercedes Cardello) Florence Ballard (as Melissa Mercedes Cardello)   See fewer
Taifa Harris
Mary Wilson Mary Wilson   See fewer
N'Tasha A. Pierre
Martha Reeves Martha Reeves   See fewer
Ricky Fante
Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye   See fewer
Russell Clark
Cholly Atkins Cholly Atkins   See fewer
Ben Cain
Glenn Leonard (as Benjamin J. Cain Jr.) Glenn Leonard (as Benjamin J. Cain Jr.)   See fewer
Tommy Lafitte
Drug Dealer Drug Dealer   See fewer
Lamman Rucker
Jimmy Ruffin Jimmy Ruffin   See fewer
Nyjah Moore
Tammi Terrell Tammi Terrell   See fewer
Danni Vasser
Actress Actress   See fewer
Jonnie Brown
Damon Harris Damon Harris   See fewer
Ronnie Beasley
The Voice Masters The Voice Masters   See fewer
Ezra S. Coles
The Voice Masters The Voice Masters   See fewer
Marcel Curges
The Cadillacs The Cadillacs   See fewer
Anthony Dixon
The Cadillacs The Cadillacs   See fewer
Stephanie Haff
Girl in bar Girl in bar   See fewer
Shelly Hall
Grocery Lady Grocery Lady   See fewer
Shelton Hall
Allan age 8 Allan age 8   See fewer
Tony Haris
Principal Dancer Principal Dancer   See fewer
Eric Hersh
Concert Member Concert Member   See fewer
Amanda Iwanonkiw
Family friend Family friend   See fewer
Jesse Iwanonkiw
FAMILY FRIEND FAMILY FRIEND   See fewer
Stephaine Iwanonkiw
Family Friend Family Friend   See fewer
Leonard Julien III
David Ruffin (singing voice) David Ruffin (singing voice)   See fewer
Eddie Kendricks
Actor (archive sound) Actor (archive sound)   See fewer
Robert Knowles
The Cadillacs The Cadillacs   See fewer
Mandell Loman
The Voice Masters The Voice Masters   See fewer
Tremayne McCoy
Student leaving school Student leaving school   See fewer
Larry John Meyers
Dr. Klein Dr. Klein   See fewer
Thomas Ross
The Cadillacs The Cadillacs   See fewer
David Ruffin
Man in Coppa Cabana Man in Coppa Cabana   See fewer
Tim Stevens
Hall of Fame Presenter Hall of Fame Presenter   See fewer
Maurice Walker
The Voice Masters The Voice Masters   See fewer
J.R. Whittington
The Cadillacs (as James R. Whittington) The Cadillacs (as James R. Whittington)   See fewer
Otis Williams
Actor (archive sound) Actor (archive sound)   See fewer
Paul Williams
Actor (archive sound) Actor (archive sound)   See fewer
Stephanie Bertoni
Dancer (uncredited) Dancer (uncredited)   See fewer
Kenny Blake
Saxophone Player (uncredited) Saxophone Player (uncredited)   See fewer
Lisa Delmar
Self - Fan (uncredited) Self - Fan (uncredited)   See fewer
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