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Tanner '88 poster

Tanner '88(1988)

February 15, 19881 Season · 12 Episodes

Ended

Comedy

War & Politics

3.4from 8 users

Overview

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.

Created by Garry Trudeau, Robert Altman

Network HBO

Seasons

Tanner '88 (1988) | Couchpile

Where to Watch

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Streaming data provided by JustWatch

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Season 1 poster

Season 1

12 Episodes

1988

The Dark Horse (1)

E01

The Dark Horse (1)

2/15/1988·30m

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.

The Dark Horse (2)

E02

The Dark Horse (2)

2/15/1988·30m

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.

For Real

E03

For Real

3/14/1988

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.

The Night of the Twinkies

E04

The Night of the Twinkies

4/12/1988

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.

Moonwalker and Bookbag

E05

Moonwalker and Bookbag

5/2/1988

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.

E06

Bagels with Bruce

5/16/1988

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.

E07

Child's Play

6/6/1988

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.

E08

The Great Escape

6/20/1988

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.

E09

The Girlfriend Factor

7/11/1988

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

7/17/1988

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

8/11/1988

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

8/22/1988

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

Kevin J. O'Connor

Hayes Haggerty

Daniel H. Jenkins

Daniel H. Jenkins

Stringer Kincaid

Jim Fyfe

Emil Berkoff

Matt Malloy

Deke Connors

Ilana Levine

Andrea Spinelli

Veronica Cartwright

Veronica Cartwright

Molly Hark

Harry Anderson

Billy Ridenhour