TV series

Tanner '88

Name: Tanner '88
Released: 1988
Cast: Michael Murphy, Pamela Reed, Cynthia Nixon, Kevin J. O'Connor, Daniel H. Jenkins

1988· 1 season★ 6.9Ended

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Synopsis

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.

Themes

politics miniseries mockumentary usa politics

Episodes

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E1 The Dark Horse (1)Next upFeb 15, 1988 · 30 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Frank Barhydt (Frank Gatling), Robert Gerringer (Farmer Bob), Patricia Falkenhain (Mrs. Bob), Michael Poisson (Engineer), Stephen Altman (Rogan), Wiley Moore (Focus Group Participant), Dee Nelson (Focus Group Participant), Bob Dole (Himself (uncredited))
E2 The Dark Horse (2)Feb 15, 1988 · 30 min
Synopsis
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 RealMar 14, 1988
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Lorianne Crook (Self), Charlie Chase (Self), Waylon Jennings (Self), Danny Darst (Self)
E4 The Night of the TwinkiesApr 12, 1988
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Cleavon Little (Rev. Billy Crier), Andy Stahl (Molly's Crewmember #1), Stephen Kelly (Molly's Crewmember #2), Daniel Butler (Reporter), Larry Black (Reporter), Marshall Fallwell Jr. (Farmer), Lorianne Crook (Self), Charlie Chase (Self)
E5 Moonwalker and BookbagMay 2, 1988
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: E.G. Marshall (Gen. John Tanner), Tom Mehican (Priest), Joe Banks (Secret Serviceman), John Elko (Secret Serviceman), Gregory McKinney (Secret Serviceman), Sidney Blumenthal (Self), Hodding Carter III (Self), James Davidson (Self)
E6 Bagels with BruceMay 16, 1988
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Bruce Babbitt (Himself), Joan Cushing (Herself)
E7 Child's PlayJun 6, 1988
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: John Considine (Duke Crodian), David Alan Grier (Secret Serviceman), Cameron Thor (Secret Serviceman), Ned Bellamy (Secret Serviceman), Ken Daly (Secret Serviceman), Malcolm Jenkins (Secret Serviceman), James Terry (Molly's Cameraman), Rebecca De Mornay (Self)
E8 The Great EscapeJun 20, 1988
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: James "Gypsy" Haake (Jennifer), David Alan Grier, John Calkins, Ken Daly, Malcolm Jenkins, Alice Carter (Flight Attendant), Linda Ellerbee (Herself), Julius Carry (Secret Serviceman)
E9 The Girlfriend FactorJul 11, 1988
Synopsis
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 NewJul 17, 1988
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Lee Hamilton (Lee Hamilton, Tanner Secretary of State)
E11 The Boiler RoomAug 11, 1988
Synopsis
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 CheckAug 22, 1988
Synopsis
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.