They tried to pull one of their "sue anyone who says we're bad" shticks, but that shit doesn't fly in Canada, and they ended up getting counter-sued for over a million dollars themselves. The major issues raised in this appeal were: Was the common law of defamation valid in light of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and whether the jury's award of damages could stand. The judgement was affirmed in a 1993 decision by the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Both appellants were found jointly liable for general damages of C$300,000 and Scientology alone was liable for aggravated damages of C$500,000 and punitive damages of C$800,000. Thus Hill launched a lawsuit for damages in libel against the appellants. Church of Scientology of Toronto.Īt the contempt proceeding where the appellants were seeking a fine or imprisonment against the defendant, the allegations against Hill were found to be completely untrue and without foundation. The motion alleged Hill had misled a judge and had breached orders sealing certain documents belonging to Scientology in R. Manning, wearing his barrister's gown, read from and commented upon allegations in a notice of motion by Scientology, intending to commence criminal contempt proceedings against a Crown Attorney, Casey Hill. On 17 September 1984 Morris Manning, a lawyer working for the Church, and representatives of the Church of Scientology held a press conference on the courthouse steps in Toronto. My favourite part about the Toronto Scientologists:
I always remembered seeing their store with posters that said something like "Are you depressed? Come in for a free consultation!" that just sounded gimmicky even if you weren't familiar with the people. Same thing happened to the COS at Bloor & Yonge here in Toronto. Regardless, the episode went on to be awarded an Emmy in 2006. The Internet makes those backroom deals a lot harder to do.Īfter the premier episode, Isaac Hayes, also a Scientologist, refused to continue onto season ten of the show. That was really tough, because that felt like we were playing along with this, to me, fundamentally immoral organization like Scientology.īut then we realized -and luckily it came true-that you can’t just pull an episode off the air anymore. So we bitched and moaned and yelled at them on the phone, and they said, “You may be mad about that, but what you’re really going to be mad about is we don’t want you to go to the press and say anything.” The rerun was supposed to air that night. The only thing that we got was a phone call saying that the producers of Mission Impossible: 3 want this show off the air. It wasn’t a choice or anything we had any say in. To be fair, it wasn’t really at the Comedy Central level. Reason: How did the network respond to pressure from the Church of Scientology about that episode? In an interview with, Matt Stone describes the aftermath of the episode's premier and Comedy Central's response to legal threats: According to Wikipedia, Tom Cruise threatened Viacom that he would drop Mission Impossible 3 if it aired again, though his team later denied this. This four-hour miniseries premiered November 1 on NBC.The release of this episode kicked up a lot of dust. In part two, Dennis Edwards (Charles Ley) replaces Ruffin, and after Paul Williams' suicide and some members leave the group, the act is dropped by Motown, later returning for a reunion tour and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As Ruffin becomes hooked on coke, Gordy moves to intro The Temptations to white record-buyers. The Motortown Revue is launched, and Smokey Robinson (Erik Michael Tristan) teams with Norman Whitfield (Mel Jackson) to compose/produce My Girl and Ain't Too Proud to Beg. The name is changed to The Temptations, and a 1963 New Year's Eve altercation results in David Ruffin (Leon) replacing Bryant. When group members merge as The Elgins, Berry Gordy (Obba Babatunde) begins grooming the group. Kelly, Cat Wilson, Rolando Boyce Director R. Join Sylvester, Cathy, Rufus, Chuck, Twan and the others in a tale of sex and suspicion that you have to see to believe Romance 2007 3 hr 40 min NR Starring R. They perform with The Primes, including Kendricks (Terron Brooks) and Paul Williams (Christian Payton), and The Primettes (later The Supremes). Trapped in the Closet: The BIG Package features the first 22 chapters of R. Woodside) and Al Bryant (Chaz Lamar Shepherd) - producer Johnnie Mae Matthews (Vanessa Bell Calloway) records the group as Otis Williams and the Distants. When Williams brings together his group The Siberians - with Franklin (D.B. In 1958, when Detroit high-schoolers harmonize on street corners to meet girls, Otis Williams (Charles Malik Whitfield) finds his mom Haze (Tina Lifford) supports his singing but not his stepfather Edgar (Harold Surratt).
This biographical TV miniseries tracks members of the famed Motown group, The Temptations, faithfully following their rise to fame and the subsequent downhill race in a chronological coverage spanning 40 years.