Synopsis

A sharp-tongued comedian and television host launches an unexpected campaign for president after becoming disillusioned with conventional politics. His irreverent approach wins over voters, but a malfunction in the computerized voting system raises doubts about the election result. As the truth threatens his new position, he must decide whether honesty matters more than power.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was released in the United States on October 13, 2006, by Universal Pictures. It runs 115 minutes and was rated PG-13.

• Barry Levinson originally considered Howard Stern for the lead role. Stern ultimately did not take the part, and Robin Williams was cast as Tom Dobbs.

• Robin Williams shaped his performance by combining elements of his own stand-up style with aspects of Jay Leno's television persona.

• Although the story is set largely in Washington, D.C., much of the production was filmed in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario, with additional shooting in Washington.

• Tina Fey and Amy Poehler appear as themselves in a television segment built around a Saturday Night Live-style political comedy sketch.

• A television clip shown in the background features Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro in a tourism commercial directed by Barry Levinson.