LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Two sex-obsessed nerds in teen comedy "Superbad" topped the nominations for the 2008 MTV Movie Awards with five nods, while quirkie "Juno" about a pregnant 16 year-old came in just behind with four.


Unveiling this year's nominees on Tuesday, popular television network MTV said Sony Picture's "Superbad" claimed nominations for best movie and best actor for stars Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. It also racked up three nods for breakthrough performances.

"As someone who had his nose rubbed up against a locker or two, it's great to see my cinematic nerd brothers get their just rewards," Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music and Logo and Films Group, said in a statement.

"It's our audience that has made these movies huge box office hits and they've clearly spoken by nominating films with strong characters they can all relate to."

"Superbad," which recounts one day in the life of two high-school geeks who long desperately to have sex. It proved to be a surprise smash hit at box offices raking in nearly $170 million at worldwide box offices.

Canadian actor Cera, 19, is also nominated for best kiss with wise-cracking Ellen Page in pregnant-teen comedy "Juno" which earned four nominations, including best movie and best female performance.

"Juno" picked up top prize for best film at this year's Spirit Awards, the independent film community's version of the Oscars, and was nominated for the best movie Oscar.

The MTV show annually pokes fun at straightforward Hollywood awards like the Oscars by honoring actors and actresses in categories such as "best kiss" and "best villain" and has become widely-watched for its humor and star power.

The other nominations for best movie are "Transformers,," "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," "I Am Legend," and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets."

The 17th annual awards show will be hosted for the second year by Mike Myers, the funny man star of the "Austin Powers" comedies, and will air on June 1.

MTV unveiled a new category this year -- Best Summer Movie So Far -- with nominations including "Iron Man," "Sex And The City," "Speed Racer," "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

Reuters/Nielsen
© Copyright 2007 Reuters.