Eminem to play at MTV awards

New York Rapper Eminem and the rock duo The White Stripes will perform at the 2002 MTV Movie Awards, the cable channel announced Friday.

Jack Black and Sarah Michelle Gellar will be the hosts of the 11th annual show, which is being taped June 1 at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium and is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. June 6.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” has the most nominations with six. “The Fast and the Furious” and “Rush Hour 2” received five nominations each, and “Moulin Rouge” and “Shrek” got four apiece.

Among the scheduled presenters are Nicolas Cage, Jennifer Connelly, Matt Damon, Anthony Hopkins, Bernie Mac, Chris Rock and Will Smith.

Jackson: Yoda master of saber

San Rafael, Calif. So which Jedi knight swings the meanest light saber?

Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson, co-stars of “Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones,” agree it’s probably the wrinkly little Jedi elder Yoda, who acrobatically mixes it up in a light-saber duel in the new film.

But both actors think their characters may run a close second to Yoda.

Christensen plays apprentice Anakin Skywalker, the future villain Darth Vader, who betrays the Jedi order. Jackson returns as even-keeled leader Mace Windu, who reveals himself as a one-man wrecking crew with a light saber in the film’s climactic battle.

Brits must wait for Ozzy show

London British viewers eager to watch the domestic misadventures of Ozzy Osbourne and his family will have to wait a bit longer.

MTV said the British transmission of the reality series “The Osbournes,” scheduled to begin Sunday, had been delayed for contractual reasons.

The music network didn’t say what the issues were or when the show might air.

“MTV can confirm that ‘The Osbournes’ will still receive its U.K. television premiere on MTV shortly, and will be announcing a new, confirmed date soon,” the broadcaster said Thursday.

“MTV would like to apologize for any inconvenience to our viewers, and to reassure you that ‘The Osbournes’ is well worth the wait.”

The series, which chronicles the chaotic and profane home life of the British-born rocker and his family, is the most popular in MTV’s 21-year history. It drew as many as 6 million viewers a week in the United States.

The family is negotiating with the network over a second series.

Media hype and expectation have been high in Britain ahead of the series’ premiere here.