Tanner '88
1988•6.6/10
ComedyWar & Politics
Ratings
🎬TMDb
6.6/10(7)
In 1988, renegade filmmaker Robert Altman and Pulitzer Prize–winning Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau created a presidential candidate, ran him alongside the other hopefuls during the primary season, and presented their media campaign as a cross between a soap opera and TV news. The result was the groundbreaking Tanner ’88, a piercing satire of media-age American politics.
Language
EN
Status
Ended
First Aired
February 15, 1988
Last Aired
August 22, 1988
Networks
HBO
Created By
Garry Trudeau, Robert Altman
Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
E1
The Dark Horse (1)
Air date: 1988-02-15
On the weekend before the make-or-break New Hampshire primary, Representative Jack Tanner (D-MI) and his opinionated daughter visit with potential voters, while a videotape of his first campaign commercial is evaluated by a focus group.
E2
The Dark Horse (2)
Air date: 1988-02-15
Although their first attempt at a TV commercial is not well received, Tanner's staff hopes that an impromptu speech about why he's running for president will make a good enough TV ad to keep his campaign going past the New Hampshire primary.
E3
For Real
Air date: 1988-03-14
Tanner's television commercial showing that his passion is ""For real"" generates new interest from the press in his campaign as he heads for Nashville. He also has an apparent attempt on his life, which gains him more publicity and qualifies him for secret service protection, even thought it was just a big misunderstanding.
E4
The Night of the Twinkies
Air date: 1988-04-12
In an attempt to garner the black vote, Jack heads to Nashville to seek the advice of an old friend, now a black-rights activist. Meanwhile, one of Tanner's staff recovers from an attack at the campaign event, a busload of campaigners get stuck on the highway, and TJ mulls a one-night stand.
E5
Moonwalker and Bookbag
Air date: 1988-05-02
After Tanner offends Reverend Crier, resulting in more attention towards the campaign, he and his daughter must learn to cope with the constant protective presence of secret service agents; Taggerty uncovers some unusual family dynamics when interviewing Tanner's father; Alex persuades Jack to participate in an anti-Apartheid rally.
E6
Bagels with Bruce
Air date: 1988-05-16
After being released from jail, Tanner meets with fellow candidate Bruce Babbitt, who just dropped out of the race but has plenty to say on Jack's campaign; Stringer makes a startling discovery when he is tempted to join the Dukakis campaign; Deke produces a controversial new campaign ad.
E7
Child's Play
Air date: 1988-06-06
Tanner attends a whirlwind of campaign events, ranging from a pool party in Hollywood to a meeting with children at a day care center. He also runs into his ex-wife's husband an attends a speech seminar with Dorothy Sarnoff. Meanwhile, Barney joins the Tanner campaign following Deke's firing, while Molly hires Deke after her cameraman quits.
E8
The Great Escape
Air date: 1988-06-20
Tanner mulls the issue of drug policy in a debate with Jesse Jackson, moderated by Linda Ellerbee. Trying to escape from a number of persistent reporters asking about his relationship with Joanna, Tanner later ends up in a dangerous situation that dramatically affects the campaign.
E9
The Girlfriend Factor
Air date: 1988-07-11
Tanner has to decide what to do about his secret girlfriend Joanna Buckley, an employee of main competitor Michael Dukakis. Meanwhile, the Tanner campaign heads to a rough Detroit neighborhood, where a shocking discovery changes the course of the campaign.
E10
Something Borrowed, Something New
Air date: 1988-07-17
Tanner heads to his aunt's house in suburban Michigan to marry Joanna, but his announcement that he's getting married causes varied reactions from his relatives; Molly confides in TJ when she begins to wonder if she's about being fired by NBC; Deke crashes the wedding via helicopter; Tanner makes a number of surprise choices for his cabinet.
E11
The Boiler Room
Air date: 1988-08-11
Having reached the Democratic National Convention knowing that he has no hope of overcoming Dukakis's lead on his own, Tanner considers forging an alliance with Jesse Jackson; T.J. calls in sugar-fueled coordinator Billy Ridenour to work his backroom magic; in a last-ditch effort, Tanner walks onto the convention floor.
E12
The Reality Check
Air date: 1988-08-22
Having failed to secure the Democratic nomination, TJ and company try to launch a third-party campaign; the crew hires college co-eds for telemarketing, which provides mixed results; Joanna has coffee with Kitty Dukakis.
Cast
Michael Murphy
Jack Tanner
Pamela Reed
T.J. Cavanaugh
Cynthia Nixon
Alex Tanner
Kevin J. O'Connor
Hayes Haggerty
Daniel H. Jenkins
Stringer Kincaid
Jim Fyfe
Emil Berkoff
Matt Malloy
Deke Connors
Ilana Levine
Andrea Spinelli
Veronica Cartwright
Molly Hark
Harry Anderson
Billy Ridenhour
Wendy Crewson
Joanna Buckley
Sandra Bowie
Stevie Chevalier
Richard Cox
David Seidelman
Greg Procaccino
Barney Kittman
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