http://www.soapcentral.com/amc/news/2009/0223-kaye.php

Thorsten Kaye contract talks reach an "impasse"

Posted Saturday, February 21, 2009 11:42:32 PM

by Dan J Kroll

Contract talks between All My Children and Thorsten Kaye have broken down, according to a published report. Kaye, who has been front-and-center in the show's storyline for years, joined All My Children in 2004. There are reports that the three-time Emmy nom iws already being courted by another soap.

Though nothing is a done deal, fans of actor Thorsten Kaye (Zach Slater) may be holding their breath for the next few weeks. According to at least one published report, the three-time Daytime Emmy nominee could be on the verge of leaving All My Children.

The New York Post reports that contract talks between Kaye and ABC have hit an "impasse." Losing Kaye would be viewed as a huge loss to All My Children. Since joining the show nearly five years ago, Kaye has been constantly involved in frontburner storylines.

A reason for the stalemate was not given, but many online fans are wondering if the show's recent salary slashing may be playing a part in the negotiations. As previously reported by soapcentral.com, All My Children creator Agnes Nixon revealed late last year that stars across the board have been asked -- or ordered -- to take up to a 50-percent pay cut.

Kaye joined All My Children in 2004 upon the cancellation of Port Charles, where he had appeared as Ian Thornhart on the supernatural-leaning soap for nearly three-and-a-half years. Prior to that, beginning in 1995, Kaye enjoyed a two-year run as the wildly popular Patrick Thornhart on One Life to Live. It was no mere accident that the last name of Kaye's Port Charles and One Life to Live roles were the same. The two characters were brothers.

There is already some rumbling about Kaye possibly being courted by One Life to Live, though a show insider tells soapcentral.com that One Life to Live execs are honoring Kaye's existing relationship with All My Children and are not actively pursuing him -- yet.

Kaye's contract expires in April.

An ABC spokesperson notes that it is not network policy to comment on contract talks.

Eh. I'll repeat what I posted on the other thread. TK will cave in or they will fire him. In this economy no soap actor with a family and mortgage to pay can afford to be unemployed. I'm sure everything will be resolved and he'll spin it to make it look like he didn't cave.

If OLTL does sign TK so that Patrick returns, I'll approve, but a bunch of OLTL actors will be fired to make room for him. Maybe the older Buchanans will be culled.

Edited February 23, 200916 yr by Ann_SS

Thorsten Kaye is an albatross for AMC...it'd be great if he quit or got fired.

Being courted by OLTL? I think actors sign an ABC contract, it's not a show specific contract. So this doesn't make sense to me.

Zach is everything to Chuck Pratt and Frons' AMC, and Patrick has no real long-term value to OLTL anymore. He'll work it out.

Actually, I think TK is more needed on OLTL as Patrick, than he is on AMC as Zach. I am completely tired of Zack and his relationship with Kendall, but loads of story for Patrick on OLTL with the return of Marty, and his son Cole on the canvas. Also, would love to see him interact with MArty, John, Blair, Tea, and the other OLTL characters.

Thorsten Kaye is an albatross for AMC...it'd be great if he quit or got fired.

I still can't believe I am saying this, but yeah I totally agree..... the show would be better served without Thorsten and namely the character of Zach on our screens......

I still can't believe I am saying this, but yeah I totally agree..... the show would be better served without Thorsten and namely the character of Zach on our screens......

I agree. How did his character become such a major figure in Pine Valley? There's nothing appealing about him at all. The only redeeming quality he has is his accent.

Thorsten Kaye is an albatross for AMC...it'd be great if he quit or got fired.

Agreed 100%.

I agree with most people in this thread. TK is a strong, extremely sexy actor, but the character of Zach has been stalled for quite some time. He has become so heavy, boorish, and humorless - he's like a dark cloud over Pine Valley. (That's my problem with a lot of ABC's "dark" male characters like Sonny on GH - they lack humor. IRL, guys like Sonny and Zach would be pretty funny dudes.)

Get his ass off my show kthxbye

Get his ass off my show kthxbye

His ass and that Red Wings t-shirt.

Yep, Zach and Thorsten can MOVE THE HELL ON.

I'm so tired of the character and Kaye's unapologetic portrayal.

Get his ass off my show kthxbye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwnqqj5Q1BU

Actually, I think TK is more needed on OLTL as Patrick, than he is on AMC as Zach. I am completely tired of Zack and his relationship with Kendall, but loads of story for Patrick on OLTL with the return of Marty, and his son Cole on the canvas. Also, would love to see him interact with MArty, John, Blair, Tea, and the other OLTL characters.

Agree 150% with this post.