WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR?

Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer

One of the more memorable episodes from last year's Grammy Awards was Jennifer Lopez strutting across the stage in a gown with a neckline that plunged below her navel. Then we got to watch co-presenter David Duchovny trying not to look.

Lopez's dress almost made more news than Carlos Santana making off like a bandit with his eight awards. Host Rosie O'Donnell's pointed jabs at Whitney Houston and her problems were almost forgotten (well, maybe not by Whitney).

Yes, it's that time of year again, when the music industry gathers to honor its best of the best. And, to paraphrase Cole Porter, almost anything goes.

While this year's Staples Center event will no doubt revolve around Eminem and his appearance, rest assured there will be plenty more to see during the three-hour telecast (8 p.m. Wednesday on CBS) even if Lopez won't be there in another revealing dress. But you can almost count on someone to fill the role.

It's estimated some 2 billion viewers in 180 countries could tune in the show hosted by comedian Jon Stewart - his first Grammy hosting gig.

Like the previous year's host, the funny man behind Comedy Central's ``The Daily Show With Jon Stewart'' has been known to take a few jabs of his own at famous people, including the Puerto Rican heartthrob Ricky Martin.

Several months after the show-stopping ``The Cup of Life'' performance at the 1999 Grammys that launched the pop star's English-language career, Stewart noted on his show that Martin had been ``a member of Menudo, acted on soaps and performed on Broadway - which means he's completed all his credit hours at gay university.''

Ouch! With gay organizations upset by Eminem's nominations - the hard- core rapper's lyrics include derogatory comments about gays - it will be interesting to see if Stewart tries the same tack.

Incidentally, Martin is a nominee this year for best male pop vocal performance for ``She Bangs.''

Joining Stewart on stage will be a slew of celebrity presenters to award about 15 of the 100 trophies during the Grammys telecast. The rest will be handed out during the pre-telecast.

Among the presenters scheduled will be four-time Grammy nominees Vince Gill for country music and Sisqo for r&b, actor Andy Garcia and last year's big winner, Carlos Santana.

The performers are just as hot if not hotter.

Shrieking teens will have plenty to get excited about with 'N Sync, Destiny's Child and Christina Aguilera on the bill. The rest of the crowd will get lost in U2, Paul Simon and Faith Hill. The larger-than-life Dolly Parton will perform, as will country newcomer Brad Paisley.

Among the artists who will be pairing up are Sheryl Crow and best new artist hopeful Shelby Lynne, who were seen palling around the morning the nominations were handed out. The master of dance music - and no, we don't mean Madonna, who's also set to perform - Moby will be splitting his performance in thirds with r&b singer Jill Scott and the Blue Man Group.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg, as the Grammys' most controversial performer, Eminem, is also set to take the stage. The blue-eyed rap artist, whose lyrics offend everyone from parents to gay and lesbian advocates, will team up with Elton John, an openly gay rock legend, to perform ``Stan.''

Which only points up the obvious about the Grammys: Expect the unexpected.

``43RD ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS''

Performers: Eminem with Elton John, Destiny's Child, Madonna, 'N Sync, U2, Macy Gray, Sheryl Crow, Moby, Jill Scott, Blue Man Group, Shelby Lynne, Christina Aguilera, Faith Hill, Dolly Parton, Marc-Andre Hamelin and Brad Paisley. Jon Stewart hosts.

Where: CBS-TV (Channel 2).

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday.

On the Web: www.grammy.com.

Something rotten at the Grammys?

Is the Grammy Awards voting process fair?

Not according to those who have participated.

Gary Giddins, the longtime Village Voice jazz critic and columnist, says he ``couldn't believe what I saw'' when he was asked to join the panel that decides the jazz nominations for the record industry's biggest night out.

``The whole system is utterly corrupt,'' Giddins said. ``People were voting for their own companies, their own artists. It had nothing to do with the music.''

In a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, a music biz insider, commenting on Bob Dylan's nomination for best male rock vocal performance (for the song ``Things Have Changed''), reveals that because there are ``no other Sony records'' in the category, Dylan will win the trophy Wednesday due to no other fact but the company's huge voting block.

``What I saw was it's all about voting for your friends, the label you work for and who's making the most money,'' said Giddins, author of the just-published ``Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams'' (Little, Brown and Co.). ``I confronted them on it - and I've never been asked back. The Grammys are a completely ludicrous, industry-run thing.''

Another music insider and voter, who requested that we not use his name, for fear of upsetting his bosses or the academy, said while there's no clear mandate from the top to write in the names of your company's artists, ``it's understood that Grammys equal sales, and sales mean bonuses. Plus, there's the prestige factor.''

This year, the question is whether the academy will give top honors to controversial rapper Eminem, who is up for four trophies, including the high-profile album of the year award against such familiar names as Steely Dan, Paul Simon, Beck and Radiohead.

The general feeling is although there may be a movement among voters - and especially the large Universal block - to give it to Interscope artist Eminem, veteran act Simon or Steely Dan will get the gold.

- Fred Shuster

CAPTION(S):

5 photos, box

Photo: (1) Paul Simon, whose latest album was 2000's ``You're the One,'' will also perform.

(2) Christina Aguilera will perform at the Grammy Awards ceremony on Wednesday.

(3) GARY GIDDINS

(4 -- 5) U2, left, and Madonna will show why they are past winners when they perform at the ``43rd Annual Grammy Awards.''

Box: Something rotten at the Grammys?