Gail Renard

Gail Renard
BornNew York
OccupationWriter, producer, performer
Website
www.gailrenard.com

Gail Renard is a writer, producer and performer. She is the current treasurer and former chair of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) and is a vocal supporter of writers, lobbying through the WGGB, in Westminster and Brussels.[1]

Early life

At the age of 16, she joined John Lennon and Yoko Ono for their "Bed-In for Peace" protest in order to interview them for a school paper.[2]

She describes how Lennon sat with her on the floor and wrote out the lyrics to "Give Peace a Chance" on a piece of card in large letters so that people could read it as they sang along for a recording of the song.[3]

Lennon gave her the lyrics and they were auctioned in 2008[4][5]

Her TV writing career was encouraged by John Cleese who introduced her to radio and television producers.[6]

Awards

Renard's Custer's Last Stand Up won the BAFTA for best British Children's Series in 2001.[7]

Filmography

Television work by Gail Renard
Year Title Writer Producer Performer Notes
1972-1973 Doctor in Charge Yes No No
1974 Doctor at Sea Yes No No Wrote 2 episodes
1975-1977 Doctor on the Go Yes No No Wrote 2 episodes, one of which 'A Turn for the Nurse' attracted commentary for being written by two women.

[8]

1975-1977 Kim & Co Yes No No Wrote 1 episode 1975
1978–1979 The Famous Five Yes No No
Pipkins Yes No No
All About Babies Yes No No
1977-1981 Robin's Nest Yes No No Wrote episode 33 Albert's Ball
1987-2009 ChuckleVision Yes No No Wrote Series 10 E11, Series 11 E1, E5 & E15 Series 12 E4, E8 & E12
2001 Custer's Last Stand Up Yes Yes No Creator and also wrote most of the episodes.
2020 Monty & Co Yes Yes No


Bibliography

Non-fiction

Name Year Author (Other) ISBN Notes
Give Me a Chance: My Eight Days with John and Yoko 2010 ISBN 978-1406323078

References

  1. ^ "WGGB sends solidarity from Brussels". 12 May 2023.
  2. ^ "In bed with John and Yoko". BBC News.
  3. ^ Adams, Stephen (12 June 2008). "Magical History Score from Lennon's Bed-in". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 21 September 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Lennon sat on the floor with me and wrote the lyrics on a large piece of card with a magic marker
  4. ^ Brown, Mark (29 April 2008). "The day Lennon gave Gail her big chance". The Guardian.
  5. ^ "Live Auction 5397: Popular Culture: Rock & Pop Memorabilia". Christie's. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  6. ^ Fleet, Al (20 April 1977). "Montreal Girl Finds Niche Writing Scripts in UK". Montreal Star. London. Retrieved 21 September 2023 – via Newspapers.com. John Lennon, Yoko, Tani and John Cleese have all contributed to why Gail Renard, born in New York City but now a naturalised Canadian citizen, presently lives and works in London, England
  7. ^ "RTÉ co-production scoops BAFTA". RTÉ.ie. 3 December 2001.
  8. ^ "Today's TV". The Observer. London. 13 March 1977. Retrieved 29 August 2023.