What are the best episodes of Tanner '88?

The best rated episodes of Tanner '88 are: The Girlfriend Factor - S1E9 rated 8.0, The Reality Check - S1E12 rated 7.0, The Boiler Room - S1E11 rated 7.0, Something Borrowed, Something New - S1E10 rated 7.0

What are the worst episodes of Tanner '88?

The lowest rated episodes of Tanner '88 are: The Dark Horse (1) - S1E1 rated 5.4, The Dark Horse (2) - S1E2 rated 6.5, For Real - S1E3 rated 6.5, The Night of the Twinkies - S1E4 rated 6.5

Tanner '88 Episode Rating Graph

Feb 1988 - Aug 1988

5.9

Click the chart for info!

Browse episode ratings trends for Tanner '88. Simply click on the interactive rating graph to explore the best and worst of Tanner '88's 12 episodes.

Best Episodes of Tanner '88

The Girlfriend Factor
S1 Ep9
8.0
11th Jul 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.
The Reality Check
S1 Ep12
7.0
22nd Aug 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.
The Boiler Room
S1 Ep11
7.0
11th Aug 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.
Something Borrowed, Something New
S1 Ep10
7.0
17th Jul 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.

Worst Episodes of Tanner '88

The Dark Horse (1)
S1 Ep1
5.4
15th Feb 1988
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)
S1 Ep2
6.5
15th Feb 1988
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
S1 Ep3
6.5
14th Mar 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
S1 Ep4
6.5
12th Apr 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.

Tanner '88 Episode Guide

The Dark Horse (1)
S1 Ep1
5.4
15th Feb 1988
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)
S1 Ep2
6.5
15th Feb 1988
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
S1 Ep3
6.5
14th Mar 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
S1 Ep4
6.5
12th Apr 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
S1 Ep5
7.0
2nd May 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.
Bagels with Bruce
S1 Ep6
7.0
16th May 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.
Child's Play
S1 Ep7
7.0
6th Jun 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.
The Great Escape
S1 Ep8
7.0
20th Jun 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.
The Girlfriend Factor
S1 Ep9
8.0
11th Jul 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.
Something Borrowed, Something New
S1 Ep10
7.0
17th Jul 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.
The Boiler Room
S1 Ep11
7.0
11th Aug 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.
The Reality Check
S1 Ep12
7.0
22nd Aug 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.

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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