A PARODY WITH PARITY AT THE MTV MOVIE AWARDS, ALMOST EVERYONE PLAYS IT FOR LAUGHS.

Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer

IT SEEMS NOBODY filled Mandy Moore in on the joke.

While accepting her gilded popcorn container during the taping of the 2002 MTV Movie Awards Saturday at the Shrine Auditorium, the winner of the best-breakthrough female performer for ``A Walk to Remember'' was beside herself as if, well, she had just won an Oscar.

Oh Mandy, it's like Mike Myers said while presenting ``Lord of the Rings'' with best movie: ``Some say movies make the world go round; it's actually the sun's gravitational pull.''

The MTV Movie Awards, broadcasting at 9 tonight with preshow coverage at 8:30 p.m., exists not to praise Hollywood but parody it with off-color cracks, although awards are handed out based on votes from MTV viewers.

``This show really is incredibly irreverent when it comes to awards shows,'' said Salli Frattini, executive producer of the MTV Movie Awards. ``We're focusing on movies and awards that other shows would never talk about.''

That might explain the baffling shrieks of adoration for the brute strength of Vin Diesel, half of the best on-screen team for ``The Fast and the Furious,'' and the best-kiss trophy going to two guys - ``American Pie 2'' stars Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott.

``I'm really bummed we didn't win best kiss,'' Nicole Kidman said, referring to her smooching scenes with Ewan McGregor, while accepting the best-musical-sequence win for ``Moulin Rouge.''

For all the tongue-in-cheek high jinks, the MTV Movie Awards did have its serious moments.

Chris Tucker, winner of best fight for ``Rush Hour 2,'' told the MTV audience of a recent trip to Africa with U2's Bono and U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill.

``I have seen some things over there that changed my life,'' Tucker said, dedicating his popcorn trophy to the African women and children he met who were infected with AIDS.

While the big screen was showing clips of best-female performance nominees, one of whom was Kidman, off camera, McGregor, who was presenting the award, expressed his bias by putting his hands to his mouth and cheering with the audience.

A grateful Kidman, who won, thanked everybody, saying, ``You guys really supported me through a tough time,'' in reference to her split with ex-hubby Tom Cruise.

She wasn't the only celebrity to bring up uncomfortable topics. Squeezing Adam Sandler's hand, Winona Ryder got the truth off her chest, so to speak.

Sandler, who stars with Ryder in the upcoming ``Mr. Deeds,'' pressed the actress to come clean with the MTV audience. He seemed to be alluding to the shoplifting and drug possession charges the actress is facing - but then asked her about breast implants.

(The show was taped before Ryder broke her arm while pushing through a crowd of reporters Monday, leaving the judge to postpone until today a hearing to determine whether she'll stand trial.)

Thanks to the comedic edge of Jack Black, who presided over this year's show with Sarah Michelle Gellar of UPN's ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer,'' the antics didn't lapse for long.

Part of their hosting duties besides singing and dancing included starring in the hilarious movie parodies that MTV is so famous for - well, besides music videos.

In the past, viewers have watched Sarah Jessica Parker as her ``Sex and the City'' character cruising for a man in ``The Matrix'' and Lisa Kudrow matching wits with ``Austin Powers' '' Dr. Evil.

Frattini said that this year promises more of the same, poking fun at three of the MTV audience's favorite blockbusters from the last year.

``They're funny, really cleverly done and, you know, it's always one of the favorite things of the show,'' she said, not wanting to reveal too much.

Musical performances included the peppermint-hot White Stripes, who cranked out a medley of songs off their latest album ``White Blood Cells'' clad as prep-school types in red and white duds. The band conjured the early-'60s TV music show ``Hullabaloo'' on stage and needed a do-over after they blundered.

There were no flaws for the man whose latest album, ``The Eminem Show,'' debuted last week at the top of the Billboard chart.

Comedian Chris Rock hailed ``the baddest rapper in the world'' moments before Eminem's alter ego, Slim Shady - at least, we think it was him in tights - swooped into a phone booth for a quick change and busted out rhyming ``Without Me.''

But the biggest curiosity of the show was Kelly Osbourne, who got a video introduction from her Prince of F---ing Darkness father, Ozzy Osbourne. He was in England getting ready to serenade the Queen of England at Buckingham Palace for her Golden Jubilee pop concert.

Yes, even the queen loves MTV's ``The Osbournes.''

On the series, Osbourne shows his affections for the bright-pink-haired Kelly, who made her singing debut with her cover of Madonna's hit ``Papa Don't Preach'' at the MTV Movie Awards.

The day before the live taping, Kelly was watching as the White Stripes wrapped their rehearsal when in walked her mom, Sharon, with her little dog in tow.

``Mom,'' Kelly shouted, jumping up from her first-row seat and running over to greet her mom with a hug. Meanwhile, brother Jack stood by as the crew cast shadows on a white screen for Kelly's big number.

All but Dad were on hand Saturday, too, lending their moral support for the youngest Osbourne.

``And she's good,'' Frattini said. ``She's going to be very nervous, but I think she's going to fall right into our element here.''

And the joke is?

2002 MTV MOVIE AWARDS

What: MTV hands out awards including best kiss, best fight and best musical sequence.

Where: MTV.

When: 9 tonight with preshow coverage at 8:30 p.m.

Information: www.mtv.com.

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) Hosts Jack Black and Sarah Michelle Gellar

(2 -- color) Hilary Swank reveals the recipient of the best new filmmaker prize at the MTV Movie Awards on Saturday at the Shrine Auditorium. Like the winner's movie ``Memento,'' she's got it backward.

(3 -- color) ``Moulin Rouge'' co-stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor thank the MTV audience for awarding them best musical sequence.

(4 -- color) Dude, where's my Oscar? Until then, Seann William Scott must content himself with MTV's best-kiss award (shared with Jason Biggs).

(5 -- color) Hosts Jack Black, one-half of the band Tenacious D, and Sarah Michelle Gellar start the awards show with a musical number.

(6 -- color) The MTV Movie Awards' most eagerly awaited performance belongs to Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Ozzy and Sharon, who sings Madonna's ``Papa Don't Preach.''

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer