Tanner '88 backdrop
ComedyWar & Politics
Tanner '88 poster

The Best Episodes of Tanner '88

Every episode of Tanner '88 ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Tanner '88!

The Best Episodes of 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...
Binge this in 1h 0m•Peaking at 7.7/10
HBO
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons1

All1

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 10 - Something Borrowed, Something New
    7.7/10(60 votes)

    #1 - Something Borrowed, Something New

    S1:E10

    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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 11 - The Boiler Room
    7.4/10(55 votes)

    #2 - The Boiler Room

    S1:E11

    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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 2 - The Dark Horse (2)
    7.2/10(67 votes)

    #3 - The Dark Horse (2)

    S1: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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 7 - Child's Play
    7.2/10(67 votes)

    #4 - Child's Play

    S1:E7

    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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 1 - The Dark Horse (1)
    7.1/10(82 votes)

    #5 - The Dark Horse (1)

    S1: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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 3 - For Real
    7.1/10(65 votes)

    #6 - For Real

    S1: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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Tanner '88

    READ
  7. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 6 - Bagels with Bruce
    7.1/10(66 votes)

    #7 - Bagels with Bruce

    S1:E6

    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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 8 - The Great Escape
    7.1/10(64 votes)

    #8 - The Great Escape

    S1:E8

    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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 5 - Moonwalker and Bookbag
    7.0/10(60 votes)

    #9 - Moonwalker and Bookbag

    S1: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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 4 - The Night of the Twinkies
    6.9/10(61 votes)

    #10 - The Night of the Twinkies

    S1: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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 9 - The Girlfriend Factor
    6.9/10(59 votes)

    #11 - The Girlfriend Factor

    S1:E9

    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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 12 - The Reality Check
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #12 - The Reality Check

    S1:E12

    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.

    Director:Robert Altman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Something Borrowed, Something New" is the best rated episode of "Tanner '88". It scored 7.7/10 based on 60 votes. Directed by Robert Altman and written by Unknown, it aired on 7/17/1988. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Boiler Room".