Tanner '88 Season 1 Episode 11 The Boiler Room ( Air Date 1988-08-11 ) Genre Comedy, War & Politics category. Overview "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.".