Series
Tanner '88
“For real.”
ComedyWar & Politics
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.
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Seasons & episodes
1The Dark Horse (1)15 Feb 1988 · 30mOn 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.
2The Dark Horse (2)15 Feb 1988 · 30mAlthough 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.
3For Real14 Mar 1988Tanner'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.
4The Night of the Twinkies12 Apr 1988In 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.
5Moonwalker and Bookbag2 May 1988After 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.- 6Bagels with Bruce16 May 1988After 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.
- 7Child's Play6 Jun 1988Tanner 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.
- 8The Great Escape20 Jun 1988Tanner 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.
- 9The Girlfriend Factor11 Jul 1988Tanner 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.
- 10Something Borrowed, Something New17 Jul 1988Tanner 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.
- 11The Boiler Room11 Aug 1988Having 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.
- 12The Reality Check22 Aug 1988Having 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.
Details
- Created by
- Garry Trudeau, Robert Altman
- First aired
- 15 Feb 1988
- Last aired
- 22 Aug 1988
- Status
- Ended
- Language
- English
- Network
- HBO
- Episodes
- 12
- Votes
- 8 on TMDB
Where to watch (US)
Cast
Michael MurphyJack Tanner
Pamela ReedT.J. Cavanaugh
Cynthia NixonAlex Tanner
Kevin J. O'ConnorHayes Haggerty
Daniel H. JenkinsStringer Kincaid
Jim FyfeEmil Berkoff
Matt MalloyDeke Connors
Ilana LevineAndrea Spinelli
Veronica CartwrightMolly Hark
Harry AndersonBilly Ridenhour
Wendy CrewsonJoanna Buckley- SSandra BowieStevie Chevalier
Richard CoxDavid Seidelman- GGreg ProcaccinoBarney Kittman
