For Real: Tanner ’ 88, Tanner on Tanner , and the Political Spectacle in the Post-Network Era

The HBO miniseries Tanner ’88 (1988) was one of the most innovative projects of Robert Altman’s storied career—according even to Altman himself—one that used the mockumentary format to develop a profound critique of American political spectacle at what turned out to be a pivotal moment in the media’s coverage of politics. Collaborating with political cartoonist Garry Trudeau, Altman told the story of the reluctant presidential candidate Jack Tanner as he negotiates the elaborate primary process. This chapter argues that by calling attention to the ways in which candidate images are constructed, Tanner ’88 helped to diagnose the harmful effects of political media on our democracy. Sixteen years later, well into the era of cable news and internet-enabled political campaigning, Altman and Trudeau continued their critique of political media with Tanner on Tanner (2004), a mockumentary that updates the storylines of all of the original series’ major characters. In both cases, Altman directs his critical gaze towards the role of political media in failing consumers and citizens when it comes to enabling authentic dialogue around vital political issues.