The Best Man: Taye Diggs' Absence Explored

In the 1999 film 'The Best Man', Taye Diggs plays Harper Stewart, a Chicago writer and the title character. The film follows the events leading up to Harper's best friend's wedding and explores the dynamics of a tight-knit group of young urban professionals. The cast reunited for a sequel in 2013, titled 'The Best Man Holiday', and again in 2022 for a Peacock miniseries, 'The Best Man: The Final Chapters'. In the latter, Diggs' character goes missing for two episodes, creating a strange narrative choice that left some viewers confused and disappointed. Despite this, Diggs has expressed fond memories of filming 'The Best Man', describing it as a great time.

Taye Diggs' character Harper is missing for two episodes of The Best Man: The Final Chapters

Harper Stewart, played by Taye Diggs, is missing for two episodes of The Best Man: The Final Chapters. The Best Man franchise kicked off in 1999 with a film exploring the dynamics of a tight-knit group of young urban professionals. The Final Chapters is an eight-episode Peacock miniseries that reunites the crew from the original film.

In the series, Taye Diggs' character Harper is a successful author whose debut novel is being adapted into a movie. However, he disappears for two full episodes, and the other characters are shown talking about him even though he doesn't appear. This is odd, given that Harper is the title character of the original film and the series revolves around his novel being adapted into a movie.

The Best Man: The Final Chapters deals with themes of parenting, activism, old and new love, and the challenges of being Black and upwardly mobile in America. It also explores the reckoning between Harper and his wife, Robyn, played by Sanaa Lathan, as she asserts herself and her feelings of being put on the back burner by her husband, who prioritises his work over her.

Nia Long improvised slapping Taye Diggs during filming

In the 1999 film The Best Man, Nia Long's character Jordan Armstrong slaps Taye Diggs' character Harper Stewart. This slap was, in fact, improvised by Long.

In an interview with TV One, Long revealed that she felt something was missing from the scene as written. She said:

> There was just something not on the page, the moment was there, but the words weren’t there and so I said, 'You know what let’s just do it.'

Diggs confirmed that the slap was not planned, stating that Long:

> slapped the s–t outta me, like for real. You get a moment where I go, 'wooo' and I stayed in it.

He also admitted that he was initially angry with Long, saying:

> I was pissed! I was like, 'I’m never gonna work with her again, how unprofessional,' and then when I saw it on screen, after that day we were cool.

However, despite the unexpected nature of the slap, it ultimately benefited the scene, with Diggs acknowledging that:

> [Long's] slap made that scene.

Taye Diggs was initially angry with Nia Long for slapping him

During the filming of "The Best Man", Taye Diggs was initially angry with Nia Long for slapping him in an unscripted scene. In the scene, Diggs' character, Harper, has a heated argument with Long's character, Jordan, for telling Harper's best friend about his new book, in which he details sleeping with his friend's fiancée. After some words are exchanged, Jordan slaps Harper.

Nia Long improvised the slap, and Taye Diggs was not happy about it at first. He even considered never working with her again, calling her action "unprofessional." However, once he saw the scene on screen, he liked it and changed his mind about Long. The slap added intensity to the angry scene between the two characters and made it more memorable.

"The Best Man," released in 1999, was a favorite for many and a bright moment in Taye Diggs' acting career. The film explored the dynamics of a tight-knit group of young urban professionals and featured an all-star cast, including Diggs, Long, Regina Hall, and Terrence Howard. The cast reunited for a sequel, "The Best Man Holiday," in 2013 and again for a Peacock miniseries, "The Best Man: The Final Chapters," in 2022.

Taye Diggs enjoyed working with the cast of The Best Man

Scott Leo "Taye" Diggs is an American actor with a prolific career in film, television, and theatre. He is particularly known for his role in the 1999 film "The Best Man" and its subsequent sequel and series.

Diggs has expressed that he has "great memories" of his time working on "The Best Man", recalling a "different time when [they] all felt really free, no stress, and [they were] allowed to just work without worry". He also mentions that the cast took [this freedom] for granted and that "they don't make movies like that anymore".

Diggs's character in the film, Harper Stewart, is a Chicago writer and the best friend of the groom, whose new book is adapted into a movie, causing a series of events and drama to unfold.

While filming a scene with Nia Long, who plays Jordan, the actress improvised by slapping Diggs's character. This initially upset Diggs, but after seeing the scene on screen, he changed his mind, and the two actors reconciled.

The cast of "The Best Man" has reunited for several projects over the years, including the 2013 sequel "The Best Man Holiday" and the 2022 Peacock limited series "The Best Man: The Final Chapters".

Taye Diggs clearly enjoyed working with the cast of "The Best Man", as evidenced by his fond memories of the production and his willingness to reprise his role in subsequent installments of the franchise. The cast has also expressed that they have remained close over the years, further highlighting the positive experience they shared while working together.

The Best Man was a breakthrough role for Taye Diggs

Scott Leo "Taye" Diggs, born on January 2, 1971, is an American actor with a career spanning stage, television, and film. He is best known for his roles in Broadway musicals like "Rent" and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," TV series such as "Private Practice" and "All American", and films including "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "The Best Man."

"The Best Man," a 1999 romantic comedy-drama, holds a special place in Taye Diggs' career. The movie, written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee, revolves around a group of young, urban professionals and explores themes of friendship, love, and the complexities of their relationships. Diggs plays Harper Stewart, the title character and the best man at the center of the story.

The film was a breakthrough role for Diggs, offering him significant acclaim and exposure. It showcased his versatility as an actor and solidified his place in Hollywood. The success of "The Best Man" also led to a sequel, "The Best Man Holiday," released in 2013, and a limited series, "The Best Man: The Final Chapters," which premiered on Peacock in 2022.

In "The Best Man," Harper is a Chicago writer whose life becomes chaotic just before his best friend's wedding. The friend, Lance (portrayed by Morris Chestnut), discovers that Harper's new book is based on his bride's past, leading to a series of events that drive the plot. One memorable scene involves an intense argument between Harper and Jordan (Nia Long), where Jordan slaps Harper. This slap was improvised by Long, initially upsetting Diggs, but he later appreciated how it enhanced the scene's intensity.

"The Best Man" holds a special place in Diggs' heart, as he fondly recalls the fun and freedom he experienced during filming. The movie's success and its lasting impact on Diggs' career are undeniable, and it remains a beloved favorite among many fans.

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