Creator Backlash: Eddie Kendrick disliked the Progressive Soul sound being forced on the group by Motown management (preferring their earlier classic sound); this played a role in his departure.
Executive Meddling/Music Is Politics: As the norm was with Motown, the group members often had little, if any, say in the music, which was particularly contentious with Eddie and David, who both had severely strained relations with the label.
Permanent Placeholder: Richard Street was hired as a temporary substitute to fill in for Paul Williams. The group hoped that Paul would dry out and rejoin them. Unfortunately, Paul's behavior continued to spiral so the group cut formal ties with him and Richard became a full-time member.
The Pete Best: Al Bryant, the tenor singer and Ruffin's predecessor.
Short-Lived, Big Impact: Many people still associate the Tempts with the "Classic 5" line-up of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and David Ruffin despite that iteration only lasting from 1964 to 1968.
Promoted Fanboy: Rick James was a huge fan (he particularly lionized David Ruffin) and leapt at the opportunity to work with them on "Reunion" because it featured the Classic 5 lineup returning.
Renamed to Avoid Association: Upon leaving the group for the final time, Dennis Edwards created his own splinter group called "Dennis Edwards & the Temptations". After a legal battle with Otis Williams over who could perform under the "Temptations" name, Edwards' group became "The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards". Edwards, however, treated the group as if it was the actual Temptations. The group continues as "Dennis Edwards' Temptations Revue" after Edwards' death.
What Could Have Been: Motown had originally wanted to cut Melvin from the group as virtually no popular groups had a bass singer at the time, before the other members stepped up.
The miniseries:
The Cast Show Off: Most of the cast members do their own singing, with Leon (David Ruffin) being a notable exception. His singing parts, except for his taunting Otis and Melvin by singing the first two lines of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", are done by an actual ex-Tempt, Louis Price. (Ironic, as Leon had also played another legendary performer — rock 'n 'roll pioneer Little Richard — in another biopic.)
Christian Payton's vocals as Paul Williams earned a lot of praise in particular, not only for sounding very similar to the late vocalist, he was also able to capture Paul at his most drunk and off-form, e.g. his singing "For Once in My Life" at a party and "Psychedelic Shack" at a concert.
Throw It In!: Leon adlibbed the infamous "Ain't nobody coming to see you, Otis!" line.
Leon was cast as Otis but he insisted that he play David.
