Tanner '88

1988 - 1988

The Dark Horse (1)

15th February 1988

Episode 1

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)

15th February 1988

Episode 2

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

14th March 1988

Episode 3

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

12th April 1988

Episode 4

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

Episode 5

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.

Bagels with Bruce

Episode 6

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.

Child's Play

Episode 7

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.

The Great Escape

Episode 8

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.

The Girlfriend Factor

Episode 9

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.

Something Borrowed, Something New

Episode 10

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.

The Boiler Room

11th August 1988

Episode 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.

The Reality Check

22nd August 1988

Episode 12

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.

Top Cast

Michael Murphy•Pamela Reed•Cynthia Nixon

Writer

Garry Trudeau

Comedy War & 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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Production Companies

Full Cast

Michael Murphy Image

Michael Murphy

Jack Tanner

Pamela Reed Image

Pamela Reed

T.J. Cavanaugh

Cynthia Nixon Image

Cynthia Nixon

Alex Tanner

Kevin J. O'Connor Image

Kevin J. O'Connor

Hayes Haggerty

Daniel H. Jenkins Image

Daniel H. Jenkins

Stringer Kincaid

Jim Fyfe Image

Jim Fyfe

Emil Berkoff

Matt Malloy Image

Matt Malloy

Deke Connors

Ilana Levine Image

Ilana Levine

Andrea Spinelli

Veronica Cartwright Image

Veronica Cartwright

Molly Hark

Harry Anderson Image

Harry Anderson

Billy Ridenhour

Wendy Crewson Image

Wendy Crewson

Joanna Buckley

Sandra Bowie

Stevie Chevalier

Richard Cox Image

Richard Cox

David Seidelman

Greg Procaccino

Barney Kittman

Full Crew

Dorian Harris

Editor

Ruth Foster

Editor

Mark Fish

Editor

Sean-Michael Connor

Editor

Alison Ellwood Image

Alison Ellwood

Editor

Kristine Flones

Makeup Artist

Kristine Flones

Costume Design

Stephen Altman

Art Direction

Stephen Altman

Production Design

Garry Trudeau Image

Garry Trudeau

Executive Producer

Matthew Seig

Associate Producer

Mark Jaffee

Line Producer

Scott Bushnell

Producer

Frank Barhydt

Associate Producer

Zennia M. Barahona

Post Production Producer

Garry Trudeau Image

Garry Trudeau

Writer

Jean Lépine

Director of Photography

Robert Altman Image

Robert Altman

Executive Producer

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