Latest episode
S1 E12 · The Reality Check
Tanner '88 is a comedy and war & politics TV series that premiered on HBO on February 15, 1988. It has 1 season and 12 episodes so far and has ended. The latest episode, Season 1 Episode 12 "The Reality Check", aired on August 22, 1988.
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.
Last updated
12 episodes · 1 season
1988 · 12 episodes · Last episode: 38 years ago
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
E5
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.
E4
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.
E3
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.
E2
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.
E1
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.
Created by Garry Trudeau and Robert Altman
Frank Barhydt
Frank Gatling
Robert Gerringer
Farmer Bob
Patricia Falkenhain
Mrs. Bob
Michael Poisson
Engineer
Stephen Altman
Rogan
Cleavon Little
Rev. Billy Crier
Andy Stahl
Molly's Crewmember #1
Stephen Kelly
Molly's Crewmember #2
Daniel Butler
Reporter
Larry Black
Reporter
Wiley Moore
Focus Group Participant
Marshall Fallwell Jr.
Farmer
Dee Nelson
Focus Group Participant
Lorianne Crook
Self
Charlie Chase
Self
Sam Bush
Himself - New Grass Revival
Tanner '88 has ended, so no new episodes are scheduled. The final episode aired on August 22, 1988.
The most recent episode of Tanner '88, Season 1 Episode 12 "The Reality Check", aired on August 22, 1988.
Tanner '88 has 1 season with 12 episodes in total.
Tanner '88 first aired on HBO on February 15, 1988.
Download the Streambay app, follow Tanner '88, and you'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is released.
7.9
7.5
7.5
8.0
7.6
8.0
7.3
7.0
6.7
7.8
8.3
8.3
Download Streambay and follow Tanner '88. We’ll notify you the moment a new episode is released. It’s free, with no sign-up and no personal information required.
