Influence (play)

{{Short description|2005 play by David Williamson}}

{{Infobox play

| name = Influence

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| writer = David Williamson

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| premiere = March 2005

| place = Drama Theatre, Sydney

| orig_lang = English

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Influence is a 2005 play by David Williamson about a right-wing radio "shock jock".[http://www.api-network.com/main/index.php?apply=reviews&webpage=api_reviews&flexedit=&flex_password=&menu_label=&menuID=homely&menubox=&Review=4847 Review of published version of play] at Australian Public Intellectual Network It was inspired by the popularity of such personalities as Stan Zemanek, John Laws and Alan Jones.[http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1326103.htm Rebecca Baillie, "Williamson's new play targets the 'shock jocks' "], The 7:30 Report, 17 March 2005, accessed 8 April 2013

Williamson described the lead character as "a racist, homophobic, neo-con, horrible shock jock{{nbsp}}... I really enjoyed writing him because I let all my deep racist, sexist impulses and anti-Muslim impulses flow out, because I know they're there underneath and I know that I don't really believe in that value system but I know that lurking deep within us there's the capacity to be bigoted, shocking and terrible."{{Cite web|website=ABC Radio National|title=David Williamson in Conversation|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/archived/bookshow/david-williamson-in-conversation-transcript/3323246#transcript|date=25 July 2006}}