Tanner ’88
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, in which actors Michael Murphy (as contender Jack Tanner) and Cynthia Nixon (as his daughter) rub elbows on the campaign trail with real-life political players Jesse Jackson, Gary Hart, Bob Dole, Ralph Nader, Kitty Dukakis, and Gloria Steinem, among many others.
Starring Michael Murphy, Pamela Reed, Cynthia Nixon, Kevin J. O’Connor, Daniel Jenkins, Jim Fyfe, Matt Malloy, Ilana Levine, Richard Cox, Veronica Cartwright, Sandra Bowie, Wendy Crewson, E.G. Marshall, Frank Barhydt
S1 E1 · The Dark Horse
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. In the inaugural episode, presidential candidate Jack Tanner interacts with American voters and has his campaign commercial viewed by a focus group.
S1 E2 · For Real
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. In the inaugural episode, presidential candidate Jack Tanner interacts with American voters and has his campaign commercial viewed by a focus group.
S1 E3 · The Night of the Twinkies
In 1988, renegade filmmaker Robert Altman and Pulitzer Prize-2013;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. In this episode, Jack Tanner and his daughter try to cope with Secret Service protection.
S1 E4 · Moonwalker and Bookbag
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. In this episode, Jack Tanner and his campaign staff visit Nashville as interest in his campaign increases.
S1 E5 · Bagels with Bruce
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. In this episode, Tanner and his team meet former candidate Bruce Babbitt.
S1 E6 · Child’s Play
In 1988, renegade filmmaker Robert Altman and Pulitzer Prize-2013;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. In this episode, Jack Tanner and his daughter try to cope with Secret Service protection.
S1 E7 · The Great Escape
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. In this episode, Tanner participates in a debate with Dukakis and Jesse Jackson and details of his personal life are revealed.
S1 E8 · The Girlfriend Factor
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. In this episode, Jack Tanner visits Nashville as interest in his campaign increases.
S1 E9 · Something Borrowed, Something New
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. In this episode, Tanner's wedding plans are deflated and his campaign prospects dwindle.
S1 E10 · The Boiler Room
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. In this episode, Tanner and his team meet former candidate Bruce Babbitt.
S1 E11 · The Reality Check
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. In this episode, Tanner seeks the African American vote.