The Temptations: The Book Vs. The Movie

The TV movie differs significantly in places from both the truth and Otis' book (each of the three is distinct in some way). Mark Ribowski's book, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", attempts a more balanced picture of the group by interviewing everyone still around who knew the six main Tempts and covering all of their lives equally.

Though Otis is listed as a producer on the TV movie, he did not have creative control over the script or the final product (he was only present on set on day - the day they shot the infamous "ain't nobody comin' to see you, Otis!" scene As you might imagine, he didn't return to the set after that - the experience spooked him out too much). The credited writers of the film are Robert Johnson and Kevin Arkadie: those should be the main foci of your ire. Otis wasn't much more than a consultant.

David Ruffin did not die as depicted in the film. His limo driver brought him to the hospital properly and told the staff who he was.

Rose Franklin sued the production because the way Melvin Franklin is depicted as dying in the film (in Mama's kitchen going to get the short ribs) is not how he actually died (contracting a flesh-eating disease which forced him to quit the group, and later falling ill and dying). The production decided early on _not_ to show how Melvin actually died because, at the time development began, the event was still fresh in their minds. It also would have been quite gory to show his condition on television.