Lisa McGee
“I’ve had people say that to me, you know, that it’s sort of reminded them that things have been tough before, you know, for people. And they still got through it, and they still laughed and fell in love and embarrassed themselves. And, you know, there’s something to be said for that, maybe, as well.”
Who Am I?
Lisa was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, to Irish Catholic parents. She grew up in a time known as ‘The Troubles’.
For close to 30 years, there was fierce fighting between the Irish Catholic and Irish Protestant communities and the British Army. Schools were divided along religious lines, as were houses and shops. Bomb threats were a regular part of life, but despite all of this, Lisa found that humour provided a way of surviving and thriving.
What Am I Known For?
Lisa used her experiences and lighter take on life to great effect in her award-winning show, Derry Girls, which became one of the most-watched shows on Netflix. The show follows a group of teenagers and their families as they navigate everyday life in often difficult surroundings. The group generally walks around with military trucks and guards in the background. However, their concerns, for the most part, are more about growing up, school, not getting into trouble with teachers and parents, and having fun.
Lisa wrote the show in a way that didn’t minimise the conflict or the hurt and pain people experienced. Instead, by using humour, she shows how people were able to lighten their load. For example, when the family find out there’s a bomb on the road on their way home, there is moaning that the bus will have to take the long way round and Orla’s mum is concerned that she won’t make her tanning appointment!
The show was also a massive success for Channel 4 and won Royal Television Society Awards, Irish Film and Television Awards, as well as BAFTAs. Lisa was awarded the freedom of Derry City and Strabane in 2021 in recognition of her creative work’s global positive impact. She became the first woman to receive this highest honour by the city.
How About You?
What other examples of humour from film or TV can you think of that help characters release tension and deal with difficult moments?
When is it not ok to have a laugh? Discuss how using humour to put down someone is not a good way to use a sense of humour.
Other Amazing People (you can find them on the website)
Other examples of amazing people who used humour in their lives include Sojourner Truth, the first Black woman to take a White man to court (for illegally taking her son) and winning. Albert Einstein, the famous physicist, is also known for his quick wit and humour. Both stories can be explored on the site. Another writer, well-known for the humour he used in most of his writings, is none other than the great Mark Twain. He created intriguing stories of his life experiences in such an engaging way that he became known as the Father of American Literature.
Other Useful Resources (available on the website)
Lisa McGee is an amazing woman in her own right. You can read about other Amazing Women Of The World in our resource.
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