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Sundance Reairs Cynical Political Comedy, 'Tanner 88'

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Published: October 28, 2008

While topical comedy series such as "Saturday Night Live" are able to boost ratings during this hotly contested presidential race, it's harder to cash in if the programming isn't funny.

But that hasn't stopped some networks from trying to use a presidential hook.

The Sundance Channel, for example, has been running some hard-hitting and intriguing politically themed documentaries every Monday night since Oct. 6.

Hardly anyone has noticed. But then, Sundance's film-buff audience is probably already in the camp for Sen. Barack Obama.

On Saturday, Sundance takes a lighter path with a marathon of "Tanner 88" episodes, airing from 3 to 9 p.m.

This cynical comedy was ahead of its time when it first aired on HBO. Michael Murphy stars as fictional Democratic candidate Jack Tanner, a former congressman running against real politicians for his party's nomination.

Created by Robert Altman and Garry Trudeau, "Tanner" exposed all the stupid things politicians have to do to get to the White House. Considering how well the real Democratic candidate (Michael Dukakis) did that year, Tanner might have been a better choice.

HISTORY LESSON: Turner Classic Movies also gets in a presidential mood at 8 p.m. Sunday with a special showing of the 1976 Watergate scandal thriller "All the President's Men," featuring commentary by former Nixon aide John Dean.

Dean went from White House insider to whistle blower. He is interviewed by TCM host Robert Osbourne about the break-in and cover-up that eventually led to Nixon's resignation.

The film, starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, serves as a cautionary tale about the abuse of power and the need for investigative journalism.

Sundance's last round of political documentaries airs Monday and includes the classic "Primary" at 9 p.m. Decades old, it's still relevant. The film follows the last week of the 1960 Wisconsin primary, where a veteran senator from Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey, is being challenged for the Democratic nomination by a charismatic upstart from Massachusetts, Sen. John F. Kennedy. Does this scenario sound familiar?

It's followed at 10 by "No End In Sight," an award-winning 2007 documentary about the war in Iraq. Included are interviews with former Bush insiders who say the administration made serious mistakes by refusing to seek, acknowledge or accept input from experienced outsiders.

MO' POLITICS: The Science Channel gets into the action with "The President's Guide to Science" at 9 p.m. Sunday. It's a roundup of all the "scientific issues" the next president will have to face, including climate change and food shortages. It's preceded at 8 by "What If: The Oil Runs Out."

HBO is repeating "Recount" at 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Kevin Spacey stars in the drama, based on Florida's role in the 2000 presidential election that put George W. Bush in the White House.

PBS is repeating the "Frontline" special "The Choice" at 9 p.m. Monday. It's an even-handed look at Sen. John McCain and Obama.

And on a special "Politically Collect" episode of "Antiques Roadshow" on Monday (8 p.m. on WEDU, Channel 3), artifacts from presidential history are featured, including a $3,000 collection of campaign buttons, John Quincy Adams' chair and a $60,000 carving of Ulysses S. Grant campaigning on horseback.

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