Best tv shows like Tanner '88
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
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, in which actors Michael Murphy (as contender Jack Tanner) and Cynthia Nixon (as his daughter) rub elbows on the campaign trail with real-life political players Jesse Jackson, Gary Hart, Bob Dole, Ralph Nader, Kitty Dukakis, and Gloria Steinem, among many others. The Criterion Collection is proud to present the complete eleven-episode television series—more relevant today than ever.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 936
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 353 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, political, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, suspense
Best tv shows and movies like Tanner '88 (1988):
Similar in 89%
That's My Bush! (2001)
Plot Summary:
That's My Bush! is an American comedy television series that aired on Comedy Central from April 4 to May 23, 2001. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, best known for also creating South Park, the series centers on the fictitious personal life of President George W. Bush, as played by Timothy Bottoms. Carrie Quinn Dolin played Laura Bush, and Kurt Fuller played Karl Rove. Despite the political overtones, the show itself was actually a broad lampoon of American sitcoms, including lame jokes, a laugh track, and stock characters such as klutzy bimbo secretary Princess, know-it-all maid Maggie, and supposedly helpful "wacky" next-door neighbor Larry. The series was conceived in the wake of the 2000 presidential election between Bush and Al Gore. Parker and Stone were sure that Gore would win the election, and tentatively titled the show Everybody Loves Al. Thanks to the controversy regarding the election's outcome, the series was pushed back. Instead, the show was then plotted around Bush at the workplace. The show received positive reviews, with The New York Times commenting, "That's My Bush! is a satire of hero worship itself; it is the anti-West Wing and the first true post-Clinton comedy. [...] This politically astute criticism is embedded in so much hysterical humor that the series never seems weighty.".
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, parody, humorous, not serious, realistic, political, hilarious, offbeat, spoof, campy
Similar in 80%
The Rick Mercer Report (2004)
Plot Summary:
A weekly helping of topical satire, funny takes on the week's top stories and Canada-wide adventures.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 864
Genere: Comedy
Country: Canada
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, parody, realistic, talky, semi serious, biting, spoof, sketch comedy, slapstick comedy
Similar in 82%
DAG (2000)
Plot Summary:
DAG is an American sitcom that aired from November 2000 to May 2001 on NBC. It was named after its star, David Alan Grier, who stars as United States Secret Service agent Jerome Daggett. Daggett's name, in turn, is a back-formation. The show also stars Delta Burke as the First Lady of the United States of America.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 140
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, semi serious, spoof, parody
Similar in 75%
The Thick of It (2005)
Plot Summary:
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.
IMDB Rating: 8.7
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 29 min
Plot tags: sitcom, political, humorous, semi serious, mockumentary, entertaining, satirical, clever, realistic, talky
Similar in 78%
Tracey Ullman's State of the Union (2008)
Plot Summary:
Tracey Ullman's State of the Union is an American sketch-comedy series starring comedian Tracey Ullman. The series was written by Ullman along with Hollywood satirist Bruce Wagner. Gail Parent and Craig DiGregorio acted as contributing writers to the series' first season. On May 17, 2010, it was announced that State of the Union would not be returning for a fourth season. Producers stated that they felt that the show had "run its course.".
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 235
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: parody, humorous, realistic, not serious, light, feel good
Similar in 76%
Spin City (1996)
Plot Summary:
Spin City is a smart, sophisticated sitcom about the behind-the-scenes workings of City Hall in the biggest city in America. Workaholic Mike Flaherty is the Deputy Mayor of New York City, serving as Mayor Randall Winston's key strategist and much-needed handler. Mike runs the city with the help of his oddball staff: an anxious and insecure press secretary; a sexist, boorish chief of staff; an impeccably groomed gay activist running minority affairs; a sharp and efficient, man-crazy accountant; and an idealistic young speechwriter. Like Mike, they are all professionally capable but personally challenged.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, political, entertaining, light, feel good, captivating, parody, hilarious, clever
Similar in 77%
The New Statesman (1987)
Plot Summary:
The New Statesman is a British sitcom of the late 1980s and early 1990s satirising the Conservative government of the time. It was written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran at the request of, and as a starring vehicle for, its principal actor, Rik Mayall. The show's theme tune is an arrangement by Alan Hawkshaw of part of the Promenade from Pictures at an Exhibition by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky. The programme was made by the ITV franchise Yorkshire Television between 1987 and 1992, although the BBC made two special episodes; one in 1988, the other in 1994.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: sitcom, dark comedy, political, surreal, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, parody
Similar in 83%
Dead Ringers (2002)
Plot Summary:
Dead Ringers is a United Kingdom radio and television comedy impressions show broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and later BBC Two. The programme was devised by producer Bill Dare and developed with Jon Holmes, Andy Hurst and Simon Blackwell. It starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Phil Cornwell, Kevin Connelly and Mark Perry. The main writers for season 1-3 on Radio were Jon Holmes and Andy Hurst with Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain coming on board in Series 4. Other writers have included Simon Blackwell, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, John Finnemore, David Mitchell, Richard Ward, Terry Newman, Jonathan Morris, Colin Birch, Carl Carter and Tony Cooke. It was revealed by star Jan Ravens that the BBC quietly cancelled the television run in 2007 after five years of broadcast.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 403
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, talky, cynical, not serious, political, sketch comedy, spoof, clever, realistic
Similar in 84%
Your Excellency (1967)
Plot Summary:
Lopitos, who is horribly inefficient but quick-witted, is invited (because of the current ambassador's superstition about 13 sitting down to a meal) to a banquet attended by the ambassadors of both superpowers. After the news of a series of coups d'état in Los Cocos arrives throughout the meal, Lopitos becomes the official ambassador. At a summit of world leaders, the representatives of the two world superpowers court the allegiances of third-world diplomats to tilt the balance of global power in their favor. The last diplomat to remain unaligned, Lopitos instead harangues the superpowers for infringing on the rights of developing countries to self determination, talking to them with his point of view as a citizen not as ambassador because he arranged his demise as ambassador one day before his speech.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 630
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Mexico
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: offbeat, humorous, realistic, cynical, semi serious, biting, suspense
Similar in 81%
Tanner on Tanner (2004)
Plot Summary:
Tanner on Tanner is a follow up to celebrated filmmaker Robert Altman and DOONESBURY cartoonist Gary Trudeau's political satire TANNER '88, a mockumentary following a fictional democratic presidential candidate (Michael Murphy) on his campaign trail. This sequel, TANNER ON TANNER, finds Tanner's daughter, Alex (Cynthia Nixon, SEX AND THE CITY), producing a new documentary about her father's failed presidential bid. Shot partly during the 2004 Democratic National Convention, TANNER ON TANNER boasts many cameos by familiar politicians, political commentators, and celebrities who make appearances or share their views. Featured are Madeleine Albright, Steve Buscemi, Howard Dean, Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, Alexandra Kerry, Chris Matthews, and Martin Scorsese.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 340
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, cynical, semi serious, mockumentary, political, realistic, biting, suspense
Similar in 90%
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970)
Plot Summary:
Fresh-faced young Michael Rimmer worms his way into an opinion poll company and is soon running the place. He uses this as a springboard to get into politics and in the mini-skirted flared-trousered world of 1970 Britain starts to rise through the Tory ranks.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 706
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: political, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, not serious, biting, suspense, cult film
Similar in 84%
Battleground (2012)
Plot Summary:
Battleground is a mockumentary comedy-drama television series created by J. D. Walsh streamed on Hulu. The show follows a group of political campaign staffers working to elect a dark horse candidate to the U.S. Senate in the battleground state of Wisconsin. Walsh serves as executive producer alongside Hagai Shaham and Marc Webb. The show marks Hulu's first foray into original scripted programming. It premiered online on February 14, 2012.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 332
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, captivating, independent film, fake documentary
Similar in 75%
Water (1985)
Plot Summary:
Michael Caine stars as Baxter Thwaites, the laid-back Governor of the sleepy British colony of Cascara. But when American oil drillers accidentally strike a gusher of ultra-delicious mineral water, the forgotten Caribbean out-post becomes a global hotbed of political and economic chaos.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, surreal, light, entertaining, political, black comedy, clever, realistic, witty
Similar in 76%
Embedded Live (2004)
Plot Summary:
Embedded is a ripped-from-the-headlines satire about the madness surrounding brave men and women on the front lines of a Middle East conflict. It skewers lapdog embedded journalists, scheming government officials and the media's insatiable desire for heroes. Beautifully captured (by 9 cameras) directly from the controversial Tim Robbins' play in New York City, Embedded Live puts the audience in the front-row to this thought-provoking and timely production.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 249
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: realistic, disturbing, controversial, cynical, semi serious, suspense, thought provoking, clever, offbeat, humorous
Similar in 89%
The Perfect Dictatorship (2014)
Plot Summary:
TV MX, the most powerful Mexican Television Corporation, discloses a scandalous story involving Governor Carmelo Vargas in serious crimes and illicit business. Governor Vargas worried about his political future, decides to clean his image and negotiates a billionaire secret agreement with the owners of the TV Corporation. Carlos Rojo, an ambitious young news producer, and Ricardo Diaz, TV network star reporter, are responsible for making a dirty campaign to change the image the public has of the corrupt Governor and make him, at any cost, a political star and a great presidential candidate. Mexican Television believes that democracy is a farce and has already placed one President... Will they do it again?.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Mexico
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: cynical, humorous, semi serious, realistic, dark comedy, political, political thriller, cult classic, biting, soap opera
Similar in 88%
The Obama Effect (2012)
Plot Summary:
A serious health scare ignites John Thomas, an insurance salesman in his 50s, to take a closer look at his life. Motivated by a misguided obsession with getting Barack Obama elected, John takes an overwhelming involvement in the Presidential campaign. While John becomes obsessed with the ideal of change that Obama represents for Americans, he has in turn neglected to create positive change in his own life, particularly with regard to his health and familial relationships. John hides his health problems from his strong, yet supportive wife, Molly, creating a strain on their marriage. John seeks the support of a Republican relative, MLK, who initially starkly resists supporting a Democratic candidate. John's son, Kalil, rebels against his father's avid support of Obama by supporting the Republican candidate as well. John neglects to support his daughter, Tamika, at a crucial moment in her life.
IMDB Rating: 2.0
IMDB Votes: 453
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: sentimental, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 90%
K Street (2003)
Plot Summary:
K Street is a 2003 HBO television series about lobbyists and politicians in Washington, D.C. It was named for a street that is home to many lobbying and legal firms.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 317
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: political, clever, serious, realistic, cynical, satirical, witty, talky, biting, black comedy
Similar in 77%
Knife Fight (2012)
Plot Summary:
A political strategist juggling three clients questions whether or not to take the high road as the ugly side of his work begins to haunt him.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, talky, independent film, biting, suspense
Similar in 78%
The Final Cut (1995)
Plot Summary:
Approaching his 65th birthday, Prime Minister Frances Urquhart begins to see the end of his career. Not that he has the intention of resigning anytime soon. He does however hope to establish a legacy, one for the history books and one to provide his pension. Urquhart, the master manipulator, may be losing his touch however. His Foreign Secretary, Tom Makepeace, not only resigns but crosses the floor to sit in the opposition benches in order to attack the government. As his grip on power begins to wane, Urquhart goes to ever greater lengths to retain his authority.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 206 min
Plot tags: political thriller, political, clever, serious, realistic, witty, cynical, biting, suspense
Similar in 81%
LateLine (1998)
Plot Summary:
LateLine is an American TV sitcom that ran on NBC from March 17, 1998, through March 16, 1999. Due to an abrupt cancellation, there were seven unaired episodes. Created by John Markus and Al Franken, LateLine depicted the behind-the-scenes goings-on of a fictitious late-night television news broadcast, patterned in part after the long-running ABC program Nightline. Many plotlines in the series were satirical, dealing with topics like Deep Throat and the Watergate break-in, and the episodes often had cameos by famous politicians. On August 17, 2004, Paramount released a DVD set containing all nineteen episodes on three discs.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 176
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, suspense
Similar in 87%
HealtH (1980)
Plot Summary:
HealtH is set at a health food convention at a Florida luxury hotel, where a powerful political organization is deciding on a new president.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 911
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: political, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, postmodern, suspense
Similar in 89%
The Second Civil War (1997)
Plot Summary:
When a planeload of Pakistani orphans are shipped to his state for permanent relocation, the governor of Idaho (Beau Bridges, who won an Emmy) defies the president (Phil Hartman) and closes the state's border. News Net Television, a cable news program that makes hay by reporting on political scandals, quickly spins the racist act into an overnight media sensation, creating a divide in national opinion over the issue.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: offbeat, humorous, futuristic, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, black comedy, suspense
Similar in 75%
Spinning Boris (2003)
Plot Summary:
Russian political elite hires American consultants to help with President Yeltsin's re-election campaign when his approval rating is down to single digits.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: clever, realistic, political, humorous, witty, talky, semi serious
Similar in 78%
Bob Roberts (1992)
Plot Summary:
Mock documentary about an upstart candidate for the U.S. Senate written and directed by actor Tim Robbins. Bob Roberts is a folksinger with a difference: He offers tunes that protest welfare chiselers, liberal whining, and the like. As the filmmakers follow his campaign, Robbins gives needle-sharp insight into the way candidates manipulate the media.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, political, witty, cynical, talky, humorous, funny, satirical, independent film, parody
Similar in 90%
Grassroots (2012)
Plot Summary:
Grant Cogswell, a liberal music critic decides to run for city council against a popular black incumbent and is assisted by a reporter who recently lost his job. Initially given no chance, things turn dark when Cogswell makes it into the general election. Based on a true story.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, political, clever, biting, suspense
Similar in 77%
Running Mates (2000)
Plot Summary:
A governor running for President gets revealed to be a serial philanderer.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 693
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, political, biting, suspense
Similar in 77%
Primary Colors (1998)
Plot Summary:
In this adaptation of the best-selling roman à clef about Bill Clinton's 1992 run for the White House, the young and gifted Henry Burton is tapped to oversee the presidential campaign of Governor Jack Stanton. Burton is pulled into the politician's colorful world and looks on as Stanton -- who has a wandering eye that could be his downfall -- contends with his ambitious wife, Susan, and an outspoken adviser, Richard Jemmons.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK, USA, France, Germany, Japan
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: political, intense, witty, talky, semi serious, thought provoking, humorous, realistic, clever, satirical
Similar in 79%
Wag the Dog (1997)
Plot Summary:
During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 88000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: black comedy, political, talky, dark comedy, realistic, satirical, funny, melancholic, humorous, thought provoking
Similar in 76%
The Candidate (1972)
Plot Summary:
Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: political, witty, realistic, cynical, thought provoking, clever, talky, biting, entertaining, funny
Similar in 77%
Power (1986)
Plot Summary:
Pete St. John is a powerful and successful political consultant, with clients spread around the country. When his long-time friend and client Ohio senator Sam Hastings decides to quit politics, he is rapidly drafted to help with the campaign of the man destined to succeed him, unknown and mysterious businessman Jerome Cade.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, clever, cynical, political, retro, talky