SimilarScreen
Tanner '88

Tanner '88

19886.61 Season12 EpisodesEnded

Overview

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.

Created by Garry Trudeau
Written by Garry Trudeau
Produced by Scott Bushnell
NetworksHBO

Top Cast

Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy

Jack Tanner

Pamela Reed

Pamela Reed

T.J. Cavanaugh

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon

Alex Tanner

Kevin J. O'Connor

Kevin J. O'Connor

Hayes Haggerty

Daniel H. Jenkins

Daniel H. Jenkins

Stringer Kincaid

Jim Fyfe

Jim Fyfe

Emil Berkoff

Matt Malloy

Matt Malloy

Deke Connors

Ilana Levine

Ilana Levine

Andrea Spinelli

Veronica Cartwright

Veronica Cartwright

Molly Hark

Harry Anderson

Harry Anderson

Billy Ridenhour

Themes & Keywords

politicsminiseriesmockumentaryusa politics

About Tanner '88

Tanner '88 is a comedy, war & politics series that first aired in 1988 exploring themes of politics, miniseries, mockumentary, usa politics. Created by Garry Trudeau, it stars Michael Murphy, Pamela Reed, Cynthia Nixon. 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.

Shows Similar to Tanner '88

Discover shows like Tanner '88 — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 shows similar to Tanner '88

If you enjoyed Tanner '88, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, creator filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Tanner '88.

Parks and Recreation
36% Match

In an attempt to beautify her town — and advance her career — Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, takes on bureaucrats, cranky neighbors, and single-issue fanatics whose weapons are lawsuits, the jumble of city codes, and the democratic process she loves so much.

Yes, Prime Minister
34% Match

James Hacker MP the Government's bumbling minister for Administrative Affairs is propelled along the corridors of power to the very pinnacle of politics - No. 10. Could this have possibly have been managed by his trusted Permanent Private Secretary, the formidably political Sir Humphrey Appleby who must move to the “Top Job” in Downing Street to support him, together with his much put upon PPS Bernard Wolley. What could possibly go wrong?

Yes Minister
33% Match

Yes Minister(1980)

TV Show8.3/10

Satirical sitcom set in the office of a UK Cabinet minister, Jim Hacker MP, who struggles with Civil Service bureaucracy and political machinations as he tries to get on with government business.

The State Within
32% Match

The State Within is a six-part British television political thriller serial written and created by Lizzie Mickery and Daniel Percival, broadcast on BBC One from 2 November to 7 December 2006. After a plane explodes over Washington DC, panic begins to envelop the British embassy, and its ambassador to Washington, Mark Brydon, finds himself caught in a potentially damaging diplomatic incident.

Veep
32% Match

Veep(2012)

TV Show7.5/10

A look into American politics, revolving around former Senator Selina Meyer who finds being Vice President of the United States is nothing like she expected and everything everyone ever warned her about.

Stonehouse
31% Match

Stonehouse(2023)

TV Show6.3/10

Drama following the life and times of disgraced Labour politician John Stonehouse, a high-flying minister under Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s government vanished from the beach of a large luxury hotel in Florida in November 1974, leaving a neatly folded pile of clothes as he swam into the sea, intent on faking his own death.

Years and Years
29% Match

As Britain is rocked by unstable political, economic and technological advances, members of the Lyons family converge on one crucial night in 2019. Over the next 15 years, the twists and turns of their everyday lives are explored as we find out if this ordinary family could change the world.

The Thick of It
27% Match

Set in the corridors of power and spin, the Minister for Social Affairs is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.

Utopia
26% Match

Utopia(2014)

TV Show7.0/10

Set inside the offices of the “Nation Building Authority”, a federal government organisation responsible for overseeing major infrastructure projects, Utopia explores that moment when bureaucracy and grand dreams collide.

Mr. Mayor
26% Match

Mr. Mayor(2021)

TV Show6.5/10

A retired businessman runs for mayor of Los Angeles to prove he's "still got it." Once he wins, he has to figure out what he stands for, gain the respect of his biggest critic and connect with his teenage daughter, all while trying to get anything right for America's second weirdest city.

Reno 911!
23% Match

Reno 911!(2003)

TV Show7.2/10

This partially unscripted comedy brings viewers into the squad car as incompetent officers swing into action, answering 911 calls about everything from speeding violations and prostitution to staking out a drug den. Within each episode, viewers catch a "fly on the wall" glimpse of the cops' often politically incorrect opinions, ranging from their personal feelings to professional critiques of their colleagues.

Review
22% Match

Review(2014)

TV Show7.5/10

A review of a movie, or a restaurant, or a car—or whatever else that typically falls under a critic's domain—is all well and good, and can even be helpful at times. But how can one find out about myriad other experiences that are never tackled in reviews? Enter Forrest MacNeil, a critic who goes beyond overviews of life's more-common subjects—way beyond—to satisfy the curiosity of others: The adrenaline rush of stealing; the danger of drug addiction; the delight of sleeping with a celebrity. MacNeil tries anything suggested by viewers of his TV show, then presents a 1-to-5-star review. But his unwavering commitment to experiencing intense adventures means he must deal with the unintended consequences of such a goal.