LOS ANGELES – “Alias” creator J.J. Abrams credits the DVD release of his action TV show with getting him the job of directing the third “Mission Impossible” movie.

“It’s amazing to me how many people have not seen the show on TV and discovered it only through the DVDs,” Abrams said Wednesday night at a private party in Hollywood where Buena Vista Home Entertainment announced the release of the “Alias Season 3” DVD package.

So, when actor/producer Tom Cruise was looking for a director for “Mission Impossible: 3,” Abrams tells Zap2it.com he sent off the first two seasons of his show that were already released on DVD.

MTV believes Grubman’s hype

In this age of disposable celebrity, it was perhaps only a matter of time before someone trained cameras on the people whose job is to manufacture celebrity.

Turns out, that time is next spring, when MTV will debut a series about well-known publicist Lizzie Grubman and some of her associates called “PoweR Girls.” The “R” is capitalized on purpose, lest we forget that Grubman and her girls are in the PR business.

Bravo tackles ‘Showbiz’

Having delved into the world of “Showbiz Moms & Dads,” Bravo is now turning its attentions to the playing fields and gymnasiums of America.

The cable network is looking for participants in a new unscripted show, “Sports Kids Moms & Dads.” Like its “Showbiz” forerunner, the series will follow families whose kids are deeply devoted to excelling in a given sport, either of their own volition or at the urging of their parents.

The network has also ordered up more episodes of “Showbiz Moms & Dads” and is working on a spinoff, “Showdog Moms & Dads,” about the dog-show life.

– Knight Ridder Newspaper

All three shows are executive produced by Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”) and David Perler.

Bravo shouldn’t lack for material in “Sports Kids.” Youth sports have become a huge business over the years, with families sometimes shelling out thousands of dollars on coaching, equipment and travel so their kids can become top athletes. The familiar image of the screaming parent on the sidelines of a Little League game is likely to come into play in the series as well.

Those interested in taking part in the show can apply at Bravotv.com.

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“NIP/TUCK’ GETS A LIFT FROM RIVERS

Erstwhile red-carpet host Joan Rivers will poke fun at her own penchant for plastic surgery by guest-starring on “Nip/Tuck.”

Rivers, who with daughter Melissa recently jumped from E! to the TV Guide Channel, will play herself in the season finale of the series, FX says. In the episode, she consults with cosmetic surgeons Sean McNamara (Dylan Walsh) and Christian Troy (Julian McMahon) about an “unusual” operation.

The taut-faced Rivers has never been shy about discussing the work she’s had done; despite the fact that she’s a septuagenarian, there’s nary a wrinkle on her face. That fact will doubtless be fodder for her appearance on “Nip/Tuck.”

Rivers, who lent her voice to “Shrek 2” earlier this year, has been working as a comic for nearly four decades. In recent years she’s been best known for her E! interviews with famous folks at the Oscars, Emmys and other awards shows, and for the fashion critiques she and her daughter have doled out following the shows.

The TV Guide Channel hired her and Melissa away from E! to work the red carpet, starting with the Emmys. That looks like it won’t happen, however, as E! has exclusive rights to live red-carpet broadcasts with the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

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(c) 2004, Zap2it.com.

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Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

AP-NY-08-19-04 1601EDT