POP/ROCKMTV Surprise? So who’s likely to generate...

POP/ROCK

MTV Surprise? So who’s likely to generate the most attention at Thursday’s 1994 MTV Video Music Awards? Sources say it won’t be host Roseanne or even the first-rate slate of performers, which includes the likes of Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. Expected on the show, in their first onstage appearance together, are none other than Michael Jackson and his new bride, Lisa Marie Presley. Look for the duo early on in the show, in a role similar to a then-embattled Pee Wee Herman’s surprise appearance in which he opened the program a couple of years ago. The show airs on cable’s MTV Thursday night at 8.

* Looking Behind the Scenes: The private lives of hip-hop and rap artists including Run DMC, Warren G., Naughty by Nature and the Wu-Tang Clan will be captured in “The Show,” a feature film due out next spring. Directed by former “Head of the Class” TV star Brian Robbins, the Rysher Entertainment movie will film the pop stars both behind-the-scenes and in concert. “The Show” is currently filming in Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta.

TELEVISION

Calling Artsy Trekkers: Creative types have a chance to win a guest appearance on the syndicated TV series “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” In a “Design an Alien” contest sponsored by Viacom Consumer Products, sci-fi aficionados are being asked to design a new “Star Trek” alien, with the winner to portray his or her character--in full makeup and costume--on a future episode. Judging the entries will be Rick Berman, “Deep Space Nine” executive producer; actor Armin Shimerman (Quark); costume designer Bob Blackman; and others. Entry forms will be included with all Playmates “Star Trek” toys now through the winter holidays; the entry deadline is March 31.

* New on ‘Melrose’: Former “General Hospital” heartthrob Jack Wagner is moving into Fox’s “Melrose Place” starting Oct. 17. In an ongoing role, Wagner will play Dr. Peter Burns, the new chief of staff at the hospital where the characters played by Thomas Calabro (Michael) and Marcia Cross (Kimberly) work. And true to “Melrose” form, Wagner’s character will get involved in a “steamy romance”--with the target of his affections being none other than series star Heather Locklear (Amanda).

KUDOS

Honors Galore: Country music star Merle Haggard will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Oct. 5 during the Country Music Assn.’s 28th Annual CMA Awards, airing that same night on CBS-TV. . . . Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey is one of 25 women to be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, N.Y., on Sept. 24. . . . On the same day, New York Gov. Mario Cuomo will present talk-show host Larry King with an International Humanitarian Award on Ellis Island from the World Union for Progressive Judaism. . . . Director Steven Spielberg will receive the Chaim Weizmann Philanthropic Award in Beverly Hills on Oct. 1, marking the 50th anniversary of the American Committee for Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science. . . . Jerry Herman will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Civic Light Opera in Redondo Beach on Sept. 16, the opening night of Herman’s popular musical, “Hello, Dolly!” . . . And Nov. 19, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center will honor HBO for being an “enlightened broadcaster” and actress Judith Light for being one of the center’s “biggest supporters.”

QUICK TAKES

English actor Julian Sands will replace Jeremy Irons as narrator of tonight’s Halle Orchestra concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Irons bowed out of the performance, which opens the UK/LA Festival, because of an illness in his family. The program remains the same. . . . In another UK/LA event, the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts has added an additional performance of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s “Henry VI--The Battle for the Throne,” due to ticket demand. The production will now be staged Nov. 1 as well as Nov. 3-6. A Nov. 2 performance, to be attended by Britain’s Prince Charles, is by invitation only. . . . Pop star Rod Stewart and model-wife Rachel Hunter are the proud parents of a new baby boy, Liam McAllister Stewart, who was born Monday night in a London Hospital. The couple also have a 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Renee.