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.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Michael MurphyJack Tanner | Jack Tanner |
 Pamela ReedT.J. Cavanaugh | T.J. Cavanaugh |
 Cynthia NixonAlex Tanner | Alex Tanner |
 Kevin J. O'ConnorHayes Haggerty | Hayes Haggerty |
 Daniel H. JenkinsStringer Kincaid | Stringer Kincaid |
 Jim FyfeEmil Berkoff | Emil Berkoff |
 Matt MalloyDeke Connors | Deke Connors |
 Ilana LevineAndrea Spinelli | Andrea Spinelli |
 Veronica CartwrightMolly Hark | Molly Hark |
 Harry AndersonBilly Ridenhour | Billy Ridenhour |
 Wendy CrewsonJoanna Buckley | Joanna Buckley |
| SSandra BowieStevie Chevalier | Stevie Chevalier |
 Richard CoxDavid Seidelman | David Seidelman |
| GGreg ProcaccinoBarney Kittman | Barney Kittman |