Around the time that Michael Moriarty left "Law and Order," Congress was discussing legislation that would restrict the amount of violence present in television and films, according to the Los Angeles Times. Many believed this maneuver was necessary to curb the extreme violence running rampant in the United States at the time, and "Law and Order" was one of the television shows targeted for its depiction of said violence.
When Moriarty found out about the proposed legislation, he became vehemently opposed to any attempt to censor the entertainment industry, and went public with his opposition in an attempt to garner support from the American TV industry. He believed that the legislation was completely unfounded and would go against the U.S. Constitution. Speaking to the Times, the actor expressed his opinion that, not only is there nothing wrong with television violence, but it can also be "beneficial." He said, "Violent drama has been a hallmark of every great civilization. It is not the cause of the disease — it is an immunizing factor ... Violent drama shows us where we come from. It makes us face our hypocrisy."
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Moriarty confirmed that he left "Law and Order" as a result of the proposed limitations on television violence. He claimed that "creeping McCarthyism" was the reason behind his departure, adding that the attempt to curb television violence was akin to censorship.
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