Asa leaving?

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Why are the networks getting rid of all the long-time vets instead of respecting their years of experience? First Allan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon) and now Asa Buchannon(Phil Carey). Carey, OLTL Again At Odds Over Contract Posted Wednesday, March 28, 2007 2:53:55 PM Phil Carey is apparently ready to exit One Life to Live when his contract expires later this year. The actor is again at odds with the ABC soap over his status with the show. The network has informed the actor that he will be dropped to recurring status. One Life to Live is poised to lose another veteran performer. Phil Carey (Asa Buchanan), who has appeared as OLTL's Asa for nearly three decades, will exit the show when his contract expires. The actor and the show were unable to come to terms on an agreement that would keep Carey in Llanview. The situation is eerie similar to one that had played out a few years back. In 2005, it was widely believed that Carey had been axed when the show made no overture to the actor about signing a new contract. This time around, however, Carey has been approached - but it was to be informed that he would be dropped to recurring status. "Phil Carey and Asa Buchanan have always been an important part of One Life to Live," a One Life to Live spokesperson tells soapcentral.com. "At this time, Mr. Carey has decided not to accept the recent offer to appear on a recurring basis."During the last contract impasse with ABC, the network issued a similar statement expressing its desire to keep Carey on board. "Phil Carey is an extremely valuable member of One Life to Live, and we sincerely hope we can come to an agreement with him," an ABC spokesperson said in a statement at the time. The past year has been a very difficult year for the accomplished actor. Carey was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2006 and underwent chemotherapy. Carey joined the cast of One Life to Live since 1979. Prior to making the transition to daytime television, Carey had a successful career in film. He appeared in over a dozen Westerns in a two-year period from1953 to 1955. However accomplished Carey was in film, he was also known for numerous primetime television roles as well. He appeared in such notable programs as "The Ford Television Theatre," "Little House on the Prairie" and "Laredo."A spokesperson for One Life to Live was not immediately available for comment. Carey's contract with One Life to Live is set to expire at the end of April.