The following statement appears after the film’s title: “A Documentary by Terry Manchester.”
       According to production notes in AMPAS library files, actor Tim Robbins began work on creating the character of “Bob Roberts” in 1986 as a “businessman-singer,” but gradually turned him into a folk singer running for political office because of what the actor felt was a growing “Hollywoodization of Washington.” He introduced the character nationally in a segment on the 13 Oct 1986 episode of the comedy television series, Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11 Oct 1975), which Robbins also directed. Afterward, he wrote a screenplay for a feature film, which included a parody of Saturday Night Live called Cutting Edge Live.
       A 5 Nov 1991 HR production chart stated that principal photography began on 4 Nov 1991 in Pittsburgh, PA. Production lasted thirty-four days. An article in the 3 Aug 1992 HR reported the picture’s final budget was $3.9 million. Armyan Bernstein was listed as a producer in the 19 Jul 1991 Screen International, but he is not credited onscreen.
       Working titles for the film included: Rob Roberts, Times Are Changing, Bob Roberts: Times Are Changing Back, and Times Are Changing Back. One of the film’s main songs, “Times Are Changin’ Back,” was a reaction to Bob Dylan’s 1964 protest song, “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” which represented, for Bob Roberts, the liberal attitudes of the American 1960s that he was railing against.
       Gore Vidal, a well-known liberal political commentator and writer, ad libbed most of his lines. “Tim squatted down with the camera and asked me questions and I just improvised,” he said in production notes.
       The film was screened in May 1992 during the Directors Fortnight program of France’s Cannes Film Festival, as noted in the 7 May 1992 DV and 15 May 1992 Screen International. The following month, the 25 Jun 1992 LAT reported that the picture would be shown that evening at the Motion Picture Academy Theater in Los Angeles, CA, for AFI’s Fest. Within five days after the film’s 4 Sep 1992 release in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C., the film had taken in $314,000 at the box-office, as noted in the 9 Sep 1992 LAT.
       The film marked Tim Robbins’ debut as a film screenwriter and director, and the first motion picture appearance of actor Jack Black.
       End credits state: “Special Musical Thanks: The Freeway Philharmonic; Lyle Lovett; Margaret Ross; Dudley Oakes.” End credits acknowledge the following: “People Weekly Magazine logo and trademark used with permission, The Time Inc. Magazine Company; Rolling Stone logo and trademark courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine; Newsweek name and logo courtesy of Newsweek c. Newsweek Inc.; Billboard magazine logo and trademark courtesy of BPI Communications; Time trademark and format by permission of the publisher, The Time, Inc. Magazine Co.” End credits also state: “The producers wish to thank the following for their support: The Pittsburgh Film Office-Robert Curran; American Tourister, Warren, RI; Budget Rent-A-Car, Pittsburgh, PA; Cameron Coca Cola, Washington, PA; Channel Master, Smithfield, NC; Coca Cola Entertainment USA, Los Angeles, CA; Curtis Mathes Center, Washington, PA; Dom Perignon, Schieffelin & Somerset; Easy Spirits Footwear, Manning, Savage & Lee, NY.; Frito Lay, Dallas, TX; Herr Foods, Inc., Perryopolis, PA; Info-Grip, Baton Rouge, LA; Jones Brewing Company, Smithton, PA; Market Control, Canonsburg, PA; Pepsi Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA; Serengeti Eyewear, CA; Taylor Guitars, Santee, CA; The D.I. Clark Company, Pittsburgh, PA; Trilogic Computer Systems, Canonsburg, PA; the crews of KDKA and WQED, Pittsburgh; Nicole Bixler; Susan Shaw and The Bob Roberts Dancers: Kristin Altfather; Jennifer Clipplinger; Lori Doycich; Crystal Galipeau; Tracy Generalovich; Julie Harkness; Nadine Isenegger; Shari Jackson; Stephanie Lang; Erika Lingley; Cheryl Mann; Michelle Nagy; Keri Nowe; Elena Porco; Joy Short; Carolyn Sibray; Jennifer Stetor; Janine Willett.” End credits also acknowledge: “And special thanks to: Stephen Castellano; Andrew Cockburn; Jody Gottlieb; Sevket Gozalan; John Head; Shelly Houis; Gwynne Hunter; Alexander Jullan; Michael Kuhn; Eriq La Salle; Louis Licari; Steve Mangel; Stephanie Jo Meckler; Lorne Michaels; Jane Moore; Paula Muzic; Lalia Nabulsi; Larry Richmond; Malcolm Ritchie; Ratso Sloman; Kathryn Smith; Susan Starr; Jill Tandy.” End credits further state: “With very special thank to: Mary Robbins; Robert Altman; Frank Bednash; Jeff Berg; Boaty Boatwright; Brian Brophy; Sam Cohn; Elaine Goldsmith; Nora Guthrie; Marjorie Moore; Nellie Nuglei; Peter Raleigh; Thiery Robbins; Chelsea Robbins; Terry Tomalin; Bart Walker; R. A. White; The Actors’ Gang; Woody Guthrie; EMLA; JHR; SS; MGR.”
       The following statement precedes end credits: “Vote.”