*Eddie Murphy may not be top choice among a certain Spice Girl or film producer these days, but his appeal among the nation's youth was affirmed with a Kids Choice Award nomination for his role in "Shrek The Third" as the voice of Donkey.

      Murphy will compete against his two co-stars Mike Meyers and Cameron Diaz in the category of favorite voice from an animated movie. The film itself was nominated for favorite animated movie, giving "Shrek the Third" a leading four nominations.

      "Are We Done Yet?" was nominated for favorite movie, while its star Ice Cube received a nod for favorite male movie star against Murphy, Johnny Depp and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. 

      New Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal joins Venus Williams, Serena Williams and Tiger Woods among the nominees for favorite athlete.

       Other Kids Choice nominees include Bow Wow, Chris Brown, Soulja Boy and Justin Timberlake in the favorite male singer category; and Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Fergie and Miley Cyrus for favorite female singer.      

       Actor Jack Black will return as host for Nickelodeon's 21st annual Kids Choice Awards, scheduled to air live on March 29. Viewers can go online beginning March 3 to cast their votes for nominees.