The ‘Mission: Impossible’ actor – whose six-year marriage to the 33-year-old brunette ended in August – is said to be reconsidering his connections to Scientology after 20 years with the church because the 50-year-old star, who was married to Nicole Kidman from 1990 until 2001, felt “a failure” following his latest split.

A source told The People newspaper: “Now he’s lost the most precious thing in his life, he sees that his Scientology beliefs may not have hurt his box office but have ended not one but two marriages.

“It was a terrifying and rude awakening for Tom when Katie served him with divorce papers. He’s used to feeling undefeatable and untouchable. When he lost Katie he felt a failure.”

Tom – who has six-year-old daughter Suri with Katie – is “distancing himself” from the religion and insiders revealed he hasn’t been seen at the services or Sunday brunch for months.

The source added: “He has lost Nicole and now his wife and daughter. He has always used the Scientology techniques but he has now realised they don’t work in marriage.

“Tom is no longer volunteering to be the public poster boy for Scientology. You’ll see he is seriously calming that down, he will head up the annual fundraisers and awards show but that’s in-house.

“In the outside world, Tom will not be promoting the religion, he is distancing himself.

“Many believe he is pulling away because he thinks it was Scientology that split him and Katie up.”

Should Tom cut all ties with Scientology then insiders believe Katie would consider reconciling her relationship with him.

Still, it made me wonder: why can’t I stand The Heigl? And, honestly, it’s no one thing. If it was just that she shot off her mouth at every opportunity that wouldn’t bother me. And if she only seemed to stick to the paparazzi like fly paper? Well, what celebrity doesn’t? And if she only was an annoying character on an obnoxious show? There are a ton of those.

No, it’s the combination of all those things, plus some inherent factor I can’t put my finger on. Katie looks like the girl who would be your biggest defender…right up to the point where she stabbed you in the back–all the while telling the media what a great person she was.

Having said that, she really should quit smoking for her own good. It may keep her weight down, but she’s going to be a leatherface in record time if she doesn’t put down the cigarettes. Which I’m thinking won’t make her as in demand for the rom-com queen title she’s aiming for.

So what exactly did Mrs. John Travolta have to say? Well, lots–as per usual. She’s always very eager to talk about her totally heterosexual husband and her smoking hot marriage and her fantastic kids (well, at least her daughter; she sort of glosses over son, Jett). Because, like all her fellow Scientologists, life is perfect.

On keeping the family together away from L.A.:

“We don’t really live in L.A.. We live in Florida. We’ve got our kids, do a lot of very normal things there. We ride golf carts, swim, rollerblade…We try to keep the family together as much as humanly possible.”

As to whether there’s any competition between her and her Johnny, she says absolutely not!

“There’s no competition at all. I’m married one of the biggest movie stars in the world. To even think about that would be silly. I’m so proud of him. He’s the greatest.”

She was one “amazing” shy of channeling Katie Holmes. Eerie, isn’t it? All the Scientology brides sound exactly the same. It’s almost as if they were programmed. But, nah, THAT couldn’t be it.

Speaking of Tom Cruise (well, sort of, since Katie is only an extension of Tommy), Kelly, naturally, had to put her two cents in about Maverick’s three-year-old Oprah couch-jumping incident.

“To be honest, I felt sad that I live in a society where we can’t show pure joy if you’re excited. He’s passionate, so he showed some unbridled emotion. Good for him. It was just spun out of control.”

Oh, good god, shut up! You know what I feel is sad? That any criticism of little Tommy brings out a rabid pack of fellow Scientologists, bearing their teeth and ready to attack anyone who messes with one of their own–even if it’s because one of their own is just plain nuts.

More of this scintillating interview airs tonight on Extra. I suppose if you really have nothing else to do, up to and including alphabetizing your pantry, it might be a great way to kill off a few brain cells.

Look, it’s not that I hate Katherine Heigl. I just can’t stand her. Why? Because she’s everywhere I look, always yammering on about how she loves her husband and wants a million babies and doesn’t take garbage from anyone and will always be in your face about something or another whether you want to hear about it or not.

And to make matters worse, “27 Dresses” kicked it at the box office, meaning she’s more in demand than ever. She’s currently shooting another rom-com, “The Ugly Truth,” with Gerard Butler. Doesn’t really matter what it’s about, just know that she’ll live happily ever after in the end.

That’s slated to come out sometime next year, but in the meantime she’ll be back on TV screens next week as the insufferable Dr. Izzy Stephens on “Grey’s Anatomy.” If the Writer’s Strike brought one good thing it was that it prevented my TV boyfriend Josh Jackson from doing his multi-episode guest spot on the show. Because then I’d be forced to watch it and have to put up with The Heigl. Something I try to avoid at all costs.

In Sunday’s New York Times, there was an article about how celebrities try to rehabilitate their careers by doing glossy magazine spreads. One of the focal points of the piece was La Lohan and commentary about how she’s trying to parlay an upcoming cover for Harper’s Bazaar to get her back into the good books of movie producers. One of the Hollywood types interviewed for the story was Robert Green, one of the executive producers of “Mad Money.” He said Lindsay had been considered for the film, but the idea was moot, as she was not insurable at the time because her off-camera behavior had become so erratic. Now, ya ready? Here’s the kicker, from Green:

“I told myself, O.K., let’s call Katie Holmes. She may have a weird personal life, but nobody thinks she’s not going to show up on time.”

Bwah! I love that quote so much I want to call it amazing and give it a Black Amex with a six-figure limit and an Armani wardrobe. This needs to be stitched on a sampler and sent to Katie for her wedding anniversary. An anniversary she’d never be celebrating if, as rumor has it (a rumor newly confirmed by an ex-Scientologist), any of Tommy’s other choices for the role of Mrs. Movie Star had taken him up on his offer. In a way, the phrase “always a bridesmaid” kind of weirdly still applies, doesn’t it?

So, just to be clear: Kate Cruise Holmes, wife of Mr. Studio Executive, was only cast as the third lead in a crappy comedy that didn’t even have major studio backing because they couldn’t hire the uninsurable Lilo and at least Katie would be punctual? That totally reminds me of “The Brady Bunch” episode when Greg got cast as Johnny Bravo because he fit the jacket the record company already had made.

Thanks to Cherry for the heads up!

Anyway, last night Victoria and David dined out with her new BFF, Kate Beckinsale and husband, Len Wiseman. They were joined by Eva Longoria at Beso, Eva’s new restaurant. It was yet another occasion where ex-BFF Katie Holmes was excluded. Interesting. The once good buddies haven’t been seen together in months and a UK tabloid is reporting it’s because Tommy doesn’t like the influence Posh has on Katie. I don’t know if I buy that, but the bloom is definitely off that friendship rose.

So, what happened? Did Posh get bored with Katie just staring blankly into space and randomly stating in perfect monotone, “I love Tom. He’s amazing?” And, bigger question: how vapid must one be to bore Victoria? Let’s face it, a rocket scientist she is not. But she’s also extremely image and business savvy and I don’t suppose she suffers stupid people gladly. Maybe being “friends” with Katie just got to be more trouble than it was worth. At least she doesn’t have to listen to the Scientology pitch anymore. That right there has got to be a plus.

On the couple’s decision to get married at Christmas (they wed December 23rd, thus f^cking up all their guests holiday plans but not caring in the least. C’mon, I can’t be the only one thinking holiday weddings are selfish):

“I don’t think either one of us was thinking a Christmas wedding. Originally it was because I only get two weeks a year for my Christmas vacation… but then we really got excited about it.”

“We wanted to do it in a place that felt like a winter wonderland. We incorporated lots of big evergreens in the reception with twinkle lights and Christmas decorations.”

I’m surprised she just didn’t have it at The Ivy. Then paps could’ve got photos online in hours, most likely including ones of Katie sucking on cigarette after cigarette. Cause nothing says glowing bride like nicotine-stained teeth.

Heigl also says she wants to “start talking children seriously in the next year” but Josh wants to wait two and that she wants five or six kids, but Josh wants to take it “one day and one child at a time.” Which is code for “Jeez, we JUST GOT MARRIED! Can you can the baby talking until at least after the honeymoon?”

I’m so cynical, I know. After all, the proof is in the hand-holding, as provided by OK! magazine, who “caught” the couple at LAX as they returned from the Rome Film Festival. Nice that they were wearing matching outfits…

They’re still not talking–well, unless you count Reese telling Ellen DeGeneres that Jakey is “cute.” Awww. I wonder if she’ll have someone pass him a note at study hall with “check yes if you like Reese” written in red pen with hearts dotting the i’s.

I’m so cynical, I know. After all, the proof is in the hand-holding, as provided by OK! magazine, who “caught” the couple at LAX as they returned from the Rome Film Festival. Nice that they were wearing matching outfits…

They’re still not talking–well, unless you count Reese telling Ellen DeGeneres that Jakey is “cute.” Awww. I wonder if she’ll have someone pass him a note at study hall with “check yes if you like Reese” written in red pen with hearts dotting the i’s.