Music mogul Jermaine Dupri says if MTV and other music channels don't start playing more music videos, they're going to have a hard time keeping up with the huge popularity of the Internet. In fact, he revealed he's only working with new artists right now, and they are people he discovered on the Web.

"I think [MTV] should play more videos to have a video awards show," Dupri told us at the MTV Video Music Awards, which was held at Paramount Studios this past weekend. "It's kind of backwards to have a video show and they don't play but five videos. They've got to up the videos a little more so the show feels more important."

When asked if artists are becoming discouraged by the lack of video air time, Dupri responded, "Nah, because you've got YouTube and Myspace — a lot of places that show the videos. I think kids watch YouTube more than they watch MTV anyway. I found my new artist on YouTube. She had two million hits already."

He's referring to Dondria Nicole, a.k.a. "Phatfffat," who is signed to his new label Tag Records. Her album hits stores in November. "I'm only working with new artists for the next two years. That's how I started, and I just feel like it's time to put a lot of energy into that. There's a lot of recycling going on with the artists that are already out there."

While Dupri has some complaints about MTV, it certainly didn't keep him from having a good time at their awards show.

"Last year we could drink while the show was going on. It might have been just because it was in Vegas, but you can't do that at all of these shows. That's hot! I even saw people smoking weed last year. I don't know if I'm supposed to say that," he added. "This feels like how music awards shows are supposed to feel. We do music. We don't do all of that other stuff, so let us do what we've got to do to celebrate."

TV TRAUMA: David Duchovny has had the Hollywood rumor mill in overdrive this past week after checking into rehab for a reported sex addiction, and even his close cast mates say they didn't see this coming. "I haven't spoken with David since our last day of shooting a few weeks ago," says his "Californication" co-star, Evan Handler. "As far as David's personal life goes, I don't know anything about it. I read the same news articles that everyone else reads, but I can't say even after having read those articles that any of us actually know what's going on with David," he adds. "I do know there's no one I've enjoyed working with more. This sounds like the usual stuff people spew, but I've been honest enough in the past with experiences I haven't enjoyed."

Apart from what may be going on in Duchovny's personal life, Handler claims his acting is better than ever in the second season of their Showtime series, which premieres Sept. 28. "I think David does a phenomenal job. He carries the show with absolute grace and ease. There's no separation between David and the rest of the cast. As far as I'm concerned, the rest of us wouldn't be there having a good time if it weren't for him."

Of course Handler tells us his own character will be up to no good as always. "Charlie gets into wild trouble in season two. Much more than anything in season one. The Runkle empire definitely crumbles only to be possibly resurrected at the very end."

In the meantime, the former "Sex and the City" star, who survived leukemia in his 20's, will be going on a 25-city tour for his new book called 'It's Only Temporary: The Good News and Bad News of Being Alive."

CHANGE OF PACE: "Dexter" star, James Remar, is often the go-to bad guy, but the actor tells us he's glad to be getting the chance to show off his comedy chops as well. His most recent venture was the movie "Pineapple Express," which is currently in theatres. "I enjoy all kinds of characters. I've done some comedy like 'Sex and the City,'" he notes of playing one of Kim Cattrall's on-screen love interests. "However, it seems that there is a typecasting element. If you're successful at one thing, people tend to want to cast you in that thing over and over again. To play through that is often a challenge," admits Remar. "'Pineapple Express' was fun because I really like the humor they're able to draw out of their youthful hijinks. It definitely was a top-shelf, humorous, energetic project."

THE TRUTH COMES OUT: Actresses often feel the pressure of staying thin, but star of "The Bill Engvall Show," Nancy Travis, admits she has a hard time keeping away from the sweets on set. "I'm a pretzel and peanut M&M's person. On my way to the set, I'm always like, 'Eat healthy. Don't eat all that garbage!' But I give in by the end of the day," says Travis with a laugh. Her co-star Bill Engvall chimes in, "Halfway through the afternoon, all of a sudden Nancy will have this burst of energy. Then I'll realize she's been having coffee and peanut M&M's again!"

With reports by Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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