Why so many people don't like otis?

[OtisAnn]

Could somebody tell me why so many people don't like Otis what have he done for so many people not to like him

[Elbridge]

Uh...Anna...you want this one?



Ed

[Melvinfan]

Um let me see here he messes up steps and lyrics for example cloud nine.

[MissTara]

Who is Otis

[Aba21]

So far we have a plethera of reasons!! ;D ;D

[tabby]

ThaFunkyFakeTation said:

Uh...Anna...you want this one?



Ed

Hey Ed! Be careful ... You know what happens to people I don't like. So be nice and friendly to me ...

[tabby]

I don't like Otis since I've seen the movie and witnessed how he allowed his friends to be portrayed as drunkards, drug heads, weaklings, and spiteful guys. When I read the book, Otis had no chance for redemption in my court room :laughing :laughing :laughing
I'd like to add, however, that I do not hate the man. I just find him repulsive.

[Aba21]

AnnaKonda said:

I don't like Otis since I've seen the movie and witnessed how he allowed his friends to be portrayed as drunkards, drug heads, weaklings, and spiteful guys. When I read the book, Otis had no chance for redemption in my court room
I'd like to add, however, that I do not hate the man. I just find him repulsive.

Do you feel the same way about others in the same business who have portrayed"his friends" in the same light? and do you think any of what he said has any truth to it? And are you repulsed by any of the things that these "friends" did.

[tabby]

Aba21 said:

Do you feel the same way about others in the same business who have portrayed"his friends" in the same light? and do you think any of what he said has any truth to it?

We are talking Otis here. So, I won't comment on others' writings. And of course, there's some truth to what he wrote, but that's not up for discussion either. I hope, if my friends ever write about me, they will exercise some restraint and not show the worst of me to write a bestseller.
I have heard it a dozen times: "If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing!" I hope that is true for fame-starved, vindictive, revengeful, greedy guys too.

[Aba21]

AnnaKonda said:

We are talking Otis here. So, I won't comment on others' writings. And of course, there's some truth to what he wrote, but that's not up for discussion either. I hope, if my friends ever write about me, they will exercise some restraint and not show the worst of me to write a bestseller.
I have heard it a dozen times: "If youdon't have anything nice to say, say nothing!" I hope that is true for fame-starved, greedy guyst too.

I guess what I am trying to understand is that if you have this feeling for Otis and it only concerns his writings about his group members lives, then putting all things in perspective you would feel that way about anyone who wrote in a book or movie those things which you feel should not have been talked about. I ask this because you in the past have indicated that you have read several different sources which have said something other than what Otis said. I have asked you to cite those sources because if they are some different than those I know: I would like to read them for myself and maybe come to the same conclusion as you or at least see a different side. I discount the book and the movie because I know it was made for TV and the book had someone else write their interpretation of his story. And without going into hysterics over how much veto power he had over the movie and what was released, I would like to understand this hatred of a man who most do not know, have never met nor ever saw perform with the classic five, in your case repulsiveness.

I was reading Melvinfans post and his answer was because he missed a step. Where did he get that from? He's 16 years old and what did he see........a video of one performance. Hell we know for a fact that Melvin fell onstage at the Copa and split his pants wide open........but we don't have video of it. Now how many performances have the TEmptations given over the years. Are we to think not another Temptation ever missed a step? We all ready know he was not the best dancer and he admitted so himself. To read that would one assume that he misses steps every single night he performs? As much as a lot of what is written about the other Temptations is pure speculation and rumor, so is much of that written about Otis Williams. I think we have to give him the same benefit of the doubt that any other Temptation would get, nothing more. I know that may never change in your court of opinion and that is ok. I also know that these men were all victums of their successes and their failures and I do not hold one speck of animosity for David, Eddie, Dennis, Paul, Melvin or Otis for anything that they have done in their lives...........because in each of their own ways........something they did had a negative effect on the group in some shape form or fashion and to dislike one over the other because of it, to me is unfair. I have seen this story from the start, not in a book or movie. I have come to think of that movie as just something that people who never saw them can have as a visual of what the Temptations were back then, not who they were. I don't think any of us can sit in judgement of that because, that, we weren't there for. without that movie we wouldn't be here discussing the Temptations on a daily basis............so for that alone, the movie served its purpose. I don't believe for a second it was made with malice in mind.

[Elbridge]

RibAnnaMcKonda said:

Who is Otis

Oh, my sides hurt....ROFL!!!!

Ed

[tabby]

"... I discount the book and the movie because I know it was made for TV and the book had someone else write their interpretation of his story."
Does that mean that Otis had no saying in what was written in his book either? So, what was said in his book and shown in the series has nothing do to with Otis Williams whose name is given as the author's and as one of the producers as well as narrator's in the movie? That I cannot believe.

Also, in my opinion, a movie made by a MOTOWN executive should have been expected to drip with malice -- at least towards people who were audacious enough to question BG's business tactics. The series was overflowing with malicious scenes especially about David Ruffin. And yes, they may have been fictitious, but some of the mud that was slung kept sticking to David's image.

Otis Williams knew with whom he was dealing in making the series; he simply didn't care whether the names and memories of his friends got smeared or not in the process of making money.

Good for him that he had no saying whatsoever in these matter. He's all innocence -- of course.

[Aba21]

AnnaKonda said:

"... I discount the book and the movie because I know it was made for TV and the book had someone else write their interpretation of his story."
Does that mean that Otis had no saying in what was written in his book either? So, what was said in his book and shown in the series has nothing do to with Otis Williams whose name is given as the author's and as one of the producers as well as narrator's in the movie? That I cannot believe.

Also, in my opinion, a movie made by a MOTOWN executive should have been expected to drip with malice -- at least towards people who were audacious enough to question BG's business tactics. The series was overflowing with malicious scenes especially about David Ruffin. And yes, they may have been fictitious, but some of the mud that was slung kept sticking to David's image.

Otis Williams knew with whom he was dealing in making the series; he simply didn't care whether the names and memories of his friends got smeared or not in the process of making money.

Good for him that he had no saying whatsoever in these matter. He's all innocence -- of course.

After all I wrote, that's all you could find to question.? And you wonder why these things turn so confrontational? I didn't say he was innocent of anything. Nor did I say he had no say so in in them. And why write a book if it ain't about making money......or do a movie.........and really if you really read the book......he spent the greater part of it saying good things about his friends until "they" did something to affect the group. Remember this is a story about what happened to the Temptations and unfortunately some bad things happened. If nothing bad happened......what would be the story? Business is business and if I ever write a book, I expect to make money on it......or why waste my time............you may feel different but don't try to cast your values on Otis and if they don't fit, make him wrong for what he believes in. WOuld you rather hear those bad things from someone else or someone that was there? And you may answer you don't want to hear them at all but most of those things in the book were not new revelations and he had to address them. What should he have said happened to the group?

And based on what I know Berry Gordy didn't have anything to do with the movie or the book.....Where do you get that information?

And what about David's image? Is it all fabricated? I think not. Otis wasn't the first to mention David's shortcoming's and he wasn't the last. Is everybody lying or do you think it was Otis who started the so called rumors of David's problem which no matter what you may want to believe, they were real as rain. You want to make it ok for him to miss rehersal or shows or do drugs or anything he may have done that tarnishes the image you have of him............Sorry.......I ain't having none of it. The difference is, I don't blame David for the demise of the Temptations in spite of what he may or may not have done. And I don't blame Otis for it either. You must feel that blame needs to be cast somewhere to justify how you feel about David. He was a flawed character to be sure, but a great talent. That's a fact! He did that, not Otis!

To tell the story of the Temptations means you have to hear the good and bad. You say Otis didn't tell on himself. Well he wasn't as out front as David and we didn't hear about them. Is there a story you know about him that he should have put in the book? I'm sure I have done some things in my life I wouldn't want in a book, but If I was not smart enough to make sure no one found out, then I would have to deal with the situation. Open your own closet and you might be surprised what you might find there. David Ruffin sometimes could be a very arrogant man, meaning he didn't care about anything or anybody at times. And then there were others when he was a nice and caring as any human being in the world. So what? It was his make-up and they lived with it until it affected their way to make a living and it had to be addressed.

So for me to truly understand all the animosity towards Otis..........show me facts of what he did........beside tell on somebody. To me that is not enough to hate somebody............

[Coey]

I may not know every bit of information on any of the Temptations.. but I for one, give credit where credit is due.. I do not dislike any of them..whatever they may or may not have done...
and in Otis' case, he was young.. just like all of them.. he wanted to get a group together.. he did it, thru all the Motown hell and heaven.. After meeting him, and talking to him... it is clear that he has the best interests of the Temptations as a group, and as a business. One thing I do know for sure is that there are still singers, musicians, business folks... trying to beat down his door..wanting to work with him, wanting to be in some form with the Temptations, either as a Temptation or in some other aspect..
I feel very fortunate to not have allowed the movie, the media, the book, other peoples personal (negative)experiences....etc.. make me not like any of them..past or present... I respect them, they give me music that I love.. they give me shows that just take my breath away, they give me wonderful experiences...
I refuse to judge any of them on whatever media is used to make anyone of them look bad.....
(and that doesnt mean that i refuse to listen to whatever someone has to say.. or that I have deaf ears, or close my eyes to what has gone on inthe past.. I just dont consider it all that important to what I enjoy..and that is enjoying the Tempts)

[Elbridge]

I've said this before but it appears to bear repeating. In general, entertainers are never the kind of people you'd nominate for "Person Of The Year". Here are the reasons why:

1. They work in an environment where applause is normal and expected. Can you think of any other profession where this is the case? Imagine, if you can, going to work and getting applause at the end of your day. Think it'd mess with your head? Sure, it does.

2. They are expected to perform well...or else. If you're having a bad day, you just want to do your job and be left alone. You don't want to face people and you certainly don't want to face them en mass. Add to that the emotional energy that has to be put into each performance - again whether they want to do it or not. Otis lost his son and had to get right back on the bus to make a tour date. The show goes on and you don't get to deal with...well...life. Both of these things can further mess with your head. This is also where drug and alcohol abuse enters the picture.

3. They are expected to feel creative at the drop of a hat. Albums and singles have to get made. Record companies won't wait...especially if you're dealing with Motown Records and it's 1969 or therebouts. I know if I'm going through something, I'm not feeling creative. In this business, you have absolutely no choice. Another head shrinker.

4. They are expected to give up their lives. Record an album, go on tour, do press, record an album, go on tour, do press, record an album, go on tour, do press...Seem repetitive? It is. It's also never-ending. Albums hit the shelves and record companies push their artists out on to the road and in front of cameras to make sure the albums sell. The price? You have absolutely no life and what life you do have is far from normal. What other job do you work 10 months out of the year and get two off? That's just an example but you get the picture.

The whole point of the book I just wrote is that the life of a musician/entertainer/whatever isn't normal. If you haven't done it or don't know anyone who has, it's hard to imagine and relate to. It can mess with your head in ways you can't imagine. It can stunt your emotional growth, which causes you to make horrendous decisions. It can physically age you years beyond anything you deem normal. It can break up marriages like Imelda Marcos changes shoes and it can damage all other relationships with lightning speed.

In short, try not to judge Otis too harshly. He's been involved in this business for nearly 50 years. That he's still alive to tell the tale when so many others aren't is miraculous in and of itself. Just give the man a break...

Ed