Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Funny man Jamie Kennedy admits that Valentine's Day is having a strong impact on him this year. That's partly because he's playing a finder of true loves working for Cupid, Inc., in the Feb. 11 Hallmark Channel movie, "Cupid." It's also because the whimsical romantic comedy, in which he stars with Joely Fisher, has him thinking about matters of the heart.

"Turning 41 — not 40 — it's been a turning point for me," he lets us know. "I'm probably going to want to be at a point where I get to come home and I've got a little woman there, and a little mini-me, you know, and maybe a little Pekinese. I'd like to have Friday night pizza night — like we did when I was a kid growing up. That was family night in our house."

Since we haven't seen Kennedy linked with anyone since he and former flame Jennifer Love Hewitt parted company, we wonder if he has someone specific in mind.

"If love is a box of chocolates," he replies, "I've got a few pieces I'd like to nibble on."

Jamie points out that his character in the movie not only helps people find their true loves but also to realize "what's important in life. You know, the script is light, but it also has a good message that resonates. I could relate to Joely's character myself. She's a successful person in the entertainment business, and she's put all her eggs in the entertainment basket — and then she realizes she wants to share it with someone and that the most important thing is human contact. Hey, it's Valentine's Day — you want to cuddle.

"The greatest thing about this movie is, I've got a billboard right across the street from Jerry's," he adds — meaning that the industry types who hang out at Jerry's Deli get to behold him, giant-sized, resplendent in his Cupid-red suit and bow tie.

If the former "Jamie Kennedy Experiment" star and "Ghost Whisperer" cast member has his way, he'll soon be back on the tube in a regular way. He reveals that he's just finished a comedy pilot, details of which he's keeping under wraps.

"I love TV, man. I love movies, too, obviously," adds Kennedy, who has done plenty of them, including a role in Tyler Perry's "Good Deeds" drama, coming out Feb. 24. "But TV is quicker. You get to do your ideas, and it keeps you out there."

A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT: "NCIS" marks its 200th episode Tuesday (Feb.

7) with a storyline that will bring back past events (and stars) as Mark Harmon's character sees his life flash before his eyes when he encounters a gunman in a diner.

The nice-guy actor/producer is always quick to credit his team when asked about the success of TV's No. 1 series. In fact, he lets it be known, he doesn't think about himself and the rest of the cast and crew in terms of star and supporting players: "I don't see myself in life that way. I know how to do the team thing," explains the one-time UCLA quarterback. "Everyone has a say; everyone gets to speak their minds. Everything is out in the open. If there is a problem, we talk about it and deal with it, so it's a pretty rare way to work." Indeed.

On the other hand, it seems that one person alone has a say when it comes to Mark's wife, Pam Dawber, ever guesting on "NCIS." Here's what he says about that: "You know, she's got her own career. She'll figure it out. It's not my decision. It's not my choice. It's her choice. If she wants to come in on something, she'll come in on something."

ALSO: Harmon is looking forward to reprising his role as Lucas Davenport, author John Sandford's sleuthing Minneapolis Deputy Chief of Police — the part he played in the USA Network's hit November movie "Certain Prey." Chatting after the "NCIS" panel at the recent TV critics press tour, Harmon said, "There are plans to do another one, but whether that will be this hiatus, I don't know at this point. Part of my job here and commitment to the show is to come back somewhat rested." Fitting in a TV movie during his seven-week seasonal hiatus doesn't leave much time for R&R.

ACTORS EVERYWHERE: Valerie Harper says she's finding it interesting to work on the Screen Actors Guild's taskforce for veterans. "We have a couple of vets who are actors for leadership and we're working with other groups," she says. "We're not reinventing the wheel, just working to help so the guys and gals coming home aren't falling through the cracks. They're so wonderfully trained, so qualified, disciplined and have such great esprit de corps ... they're great in so many jobs."

According to Harper, SAG's involvement "is non-political. We can't do political stuff." It came about through Michelle Obama's inviting the boards of various unions to "really look for ways to support the (military) families, help the homeless. She's really taken that on." Adds the actress, "Though my years of work with hunger and homelessness, I know a high percentage of those who need help are vets."

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.

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