News Round-up: Valentini Honored, Cuts on UK Soaps

Frank Valentini to be honored at this year's HeartShare Gala
HeartShare Human Services of New York celebrates its 21st Annual Spring Gala and Auction on Tuesday, March 24. As its premier fundraising event, all proceeds benefit HeartShare’s vital services for 20,000 at-risk children, adults and families in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.

Being held at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square, this year’s Gala will honor Frank Valentini, Executive Producer of ABC Daytime’s One Life To Live, among others. Scheduled to attend the event: Linda Dano, Tamara Tunie, Melissa Clare Egan, Crystal Hunt and many more.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You can find this event and all other events that come my way on the We Love Soaps Calendar (link at top of page). If your event if not listed, email me at [email protected].

'No-one is safe' as HOLLYOAKS cast face cuts
As many as 10 cast members from Hollyoaks could be facing the chop in a major shake-up of the soap, according to the papers. The News of the World reports that some of the show's most popular stars, such as Gemma Merna and Jennifer Metcalfe, could be under threat. And even long-term cast member Nick Pickard - who has played Tony Hutchinson in the soap since 1995 - has been told there is a question mark over his character.

Two major cast members - Jamie Lomas, who plays Warren Fox, and Chris Fountain, aka Justin Burton, have announced their intention to quit next month.

"It's a nightmare," one cast member told the paper. "Everyone's character is under scrutiny and there will be around ten changes so a lot of people are looking over their shoulders."

Filming Dark Knight was great but LA isn't for me, says HOLLYOAKS Dunn
Sarah Jayne Dunn won't be packing her bags for a permanent move to La-La Land just yet. She said: "I would maybe go for a while but if I am working here and happy with the jobs I am doing, I don't think I can turn my nose up at that. I have worked fairly regularly and happily here. I am a northern lass so it's always nice to be home. Maybe I would go over on holiday, stay with friends and see what it is like. There are so many stories about everyone being an actor or a casting director and I don't know if I would know who to trust. But for now I am definitely happy here."

KINGS is royally problematic, but McShane is commanding
KINGS, premiering tonight, is NBC's attempt to create its version of a premium-cable show. With its ensemble cast, high production values and sophisticated storytelling, it recalls shows from Deadwood to Rome. But all the sophisticated sheen and big-brain pretensions don't alter the show's essential identity: It's a soap opera. In the show's two-hour premiere, the tantalizing secrets start unspooling: the king's deal with a corporate-power-baron (and brother-in-law), the prince's secret life, the queen's behind-the-scenes manipulations, and the king's secret family. On and on they go.

Wounded veterans train for Wall Street
If you didn't know John Jones, you'd assume he was just another overworked securities trader, hustling across the sidewalk to wolf down a quick lunch in this city's financial district.

But when Jones sits down, his recent past is on full display. Titanium shins poke out from the cuffs of his dress slacks, revealing prosthetic legs. Jones was a Marine staff sergeant in Iraq in 2005 when a land mine blew off both legs below the knees. Now he spends his days hunched over a desk, taking a crash course to become a licensed securities broker. Jones doesn't have a college education or a finance background, but he does have a wealth of experience as a leader and decision-maker in highly stressful situations.

At one point, his post-combat future came down to competing for a role as a wounded veteran on ALL MY CHILDREN — he lost the final audition to a friend — or braving the current Wall Street image of greed and recklessness to become a broker.

"It all boils down to morals: Do the right thing; keep your integrity intact," Jones said.

EASTENDERS hit by budget cuts
EASTENDERS' executive producer Diederick Santer has confirmed that the show is facing budget cuts due to the credit crunch. Reports suggest that the Walford-based soap must slash costs by $3.5 million under a new five-year plan which has been implemented by the BBC.

According to The People, the show's chiefs have been instructed to avoid shooting scenes on-location and cut back on the use of explosions and other stunts in storylines.

"We have been told to save five per cent over five years," Santer told the newspaper. "We are trying to save where we can. We hope talent won't suffer."

PATRICK ERWIN: A wobbly “World” (Part I)
"It’s been said before, but bears repeating - ATWT has had recast fever, particularly in the last four or five years. I went to the CBS.com page for the show and looked at the cast list there. Of the 34 actors listed there, 9 of those (mostly major characters) have been recast in the last few years. That’s 38% of the cast!"

TOMMY GARRETT: Television's Gold Standard, This Week
"AS THE WORLD TURNS gets this week’s gold standard, as it continues to improve from day to day while showcasing these three extraordinary and gifted thespians who make the daytime genre live and breathe. When it comes to Emmy worthiness, Grayson McCouch, Julie Pinson and Austin Peck deserve their due."