News Round-up: DAYS in Detroit, Tika Sumpter, Franco

DAYS OF OUR LIVES reaches out to Detroit
Several cast members stepped away from their Hollywood set to reach out to Detroiters. DAYS stars Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe Lane), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Roberts Horton), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Shawn Christian (Dr. Daniel Jonas) stopped by several places in the past week, including the Genesis House III women's shelter to distribute and serve food from the Gleaners Community Food Bank on Thursday. They also presented Gleaners with a $5,000 donation.

Greg Meng, senior vice president of production and development at Corday Productions Inc., and an executive in charge of production of DAYS OF OUR LIVES, said the choice to come to Detroit was made after he read a recent Time magazine article about the city.

"According to the article, the glass seemed half empty," Meng says. "Since we've been here, we have been amazingly surprised by the optimism and spirit of the Detroit community. We believe the glass is more than half full."

How Ali Sweeney balances career, kids and a healthy lifestyle
"When you change that mind thinking, it changes your priorities of how you can make time to make it happen. For me, I look at it that way – as an investment in my own future, and to be with my children – and I look it as being a good role model for them. That helps me make the choice on a Sunday morning to get up at 7, and go for a run. I know I won‘t be home when my kids wake up, but I tell my husband in advance that I’m going to go really early, and then when I get home, I’ll bring fresh fruit from the Farmer’s Market and surprise everybody. And my kids know I’m going to the gym because it helps me be healthy."

Stomp the Yard 2 begins shooting with Tika Sumpter
Rainforest Films' "Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming" has begun principal photography in Atlanta. Collins Pennie stars as Chance Harris, a student juggling school, girls, job, debt and a looming nationally televised step competition during a stressful homecoming weekend at Truth University. ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Tika Sumpter (Layla) also stars in the film.

Jane Krakowski spills on her 30 ROCK showmance with James Franco
“James Franco! Can you believe it?" she squealed. "He’s playing a character named James Franco put through the 30 ROCK writer’s machine. Jenna, my character, loves having a showmance!”

She said Franco also let her in on some of his GENERAL HOSPITAL shenanigans.

“It was wild. James told me all about the character on GH but he swore me to secrecy and said I couldn’t tell anyone else," she told Fox411. "James told me he was so excited to do the pace of a soap opera. He wanted the difference and the challenge.”

Contest to remix EASTENDERS tune
EASTENDERS bosses have launched a competition to remix the soap's famous theme tune for its online spin-off series. E20 is a 13-part web miniseries following a group of new, young characters that will tie in with the soap's 25th anniversary celebrations.

Deborah Sathe, E20 producer, said of the contest: "I am looking for a fresh take on the classic EASTENDERS theme tune - one that will become the fanfare for a show which celebrates London life, and what it's like to be young in the capital - all in the space of 30 seconds!"

EASTENDERS' Clements leaves soap
Charlie Clements (Bradley) is to leave the soap next year, the BBC has confirmed. The 22-year-old, who made his first appearance on Albert Square in 2006, said it was "time to move on and take on some new roles".

FLO TV Makes Retail Push
Mobile television provider FLO TV, which uses UHF spectrum nationwide to deliver a subscription service with major network programming, is officially expanding its distribution beyond wireless carriers Verizon Wireless and AT&T into general retail stores and selling its product exclusive of wireless voice and data plans.

Hollywood rethinks use of A-list actors
Hollywood studios are now thinking twice about splurging on A-list movie stars and costly productions in reaction to the poor economy, but also because of the surprising success of recent films with unknown actors.