Earlier this week, our briefly departed tyrannical leader, Mr. Ufford, posted an article about how bookmakers Paddy Power have given odds on how Charlie Sheen’s character, Charlie Harper, will depart “Two and a Half Men.” Gambling on TV shows, particularly when it involves death, isn’t all that different from putting money on a sports game because you have no idea what the outcome is going to be (“WILL TONY DIE?” ASKS 2007). Unless you work for the show, or know someone who works for the show, or have access to a screener, or…
So it’s completely unlike a sports game, which is why there aren’t many opportunities to do it (with the exception of reality shows—ironically, I hear season two “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard was last seen hanging outside of an OTB in Fresno). On the following pages are a few examples of bets that you could have placed on scripted series, with a last page bonus of the odds for this year’s Emmys.
Let the neon claws of Gamblor guide you.
On “The Sopranos” movie and finale
Will a feature film version of “The Sopranos” be made before January 1, 2008?
YES: -110 NO: -130
Who of the following characters will be killed off during the final 20 episodes of “The Sopranos”?
Tony: 9/1
Carmella: 16/1
Christopher: 7/2
Dr. Melfi: 7/1
Janice: 8/1
Silvio: 5/2
Uncle Junior: 5/2
Paulie: 9/5
Meadow: 11/1
Anthony Junior: 11/2
The money has come for Tony Soprano to survive the final episode of the Sopranos, this despite many pundits voicing a contrary opinion. It sure looks like the smart money knows the result here with Tony surviving -400 and Tony dying +250.
Odds are that Phil Leotardo will die. Bodog makes his odds of departing -500.
Paulie Walnuts is also looking like a survivor with his odds -300. Silvio’s chances of waking up, however, don’t look nearly as good. He’s a big dog at +150, which is saddening me deeply.
On “Lost”‘s final season
Michael’s son, Walt, will make an appearance, +1,000 (9 percent).
The Man in Black/Smoke Monster will use Desmond to destroy the island, +500 (17 percent).
Jacob will be revealed as the true bad guy, +180 (35 percent).
The parallel survivors will return to the island and battle themselves, +300 (25 percent).
The entire island was a dream, +2,500 (4 percent).
Juliet will be revealed as the mother of Jack’s son, +120 (45 percent).
One of the last four (Jack, Kate, Hurley, Sawyer) will die in the finale, +150 (40 percent).
The Man in Black/Smoke Monster will get off the island, +340 (22 percent).
Odds on who shot Mr. Burns on “The Simpsons”
Homer 2/1
Smithers 5/2
Krusty 3/1
Bart 3/1
Barney 5/1
Hans Moleman 7/1
Moe 8/1
Grampa 10/1
Mayor Quimby 12/1
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon 15/1
Lisa 20/1
Snake 25/1
Principal Skinner 30/1
Sideshow Mel 40/1
Groundskeeper Willie 40/1
Sea Captain 50/1
Nelson 70/1
Maggie Simpson 70/1
Ms. Krabappel 75/1
Milhouse 100/1
Otto 100/1
Martin 100/1
Lionel Hutz 150/1
Dr. Nick Rivera 175/1
Lunchlady Doris 200/1
Dr. Hibbert 250/1
Ms. Hoover 300/1
Tito Puente 600/1
The famous double episode of “The Simpsons,” entitled “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” allowed gamblers to wager on the culprit responsible for the shooting. Certain European bookmakers made the mistake of also offering odds before the television show aired in that territory.
On which “Simpsons” character would come out of the closet
It was revealed during the summer of 2004 that a character would come out as gay in [“There’s Something about Marrying”], leading to much speculation from fans and the press. Bookmaker websites were even posting odds on which character it would be, with Patty receiving the best odds.
The odds-on favorite is Patty, with 4-to-5 odds…Next in line is Waylon Smithers, Mr. Burns’ dithering, effeminate assistant, who viewers have assumed for years is gay. His odds are 4-to-1…Ned Flanders, at 15-to-1, was getting the most big money bets—many of them at the $500 limit.
Other characters who visitors can bet on include Patty’s twin sister, Selma, at 9-to-1 odds; Homer’s homoerotic coworkers Lenny and Carl, at 9-to-1 and 13-to-1 odds, respectively; bartender Moe at 15-to-1 odds; Bart’s best friend Milhouse, at 8-to-1; convenience store owner Apu, at 10-to-1; Homer’s boss, Mr. Burns, at 16-to-1; and Homer Simpson himself, a long shot at 20-to-1.
On who will quit “Glee” first
The current favorite is Mark Salling who plays Puck; he can be backed at 9/4 with Paddy Power ahead of Dianna Argon (Quinn) who is 3/1 with Paddy Power and Chris Colfer (Kurt) who is 4/1 with Paddy Power. It would be a huge blow if either Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schuester) or Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester) were to quit. The good news is they are 20/1 and 25/1 respectively with Paddy Power.
About who shot J.R. on “Dallas”
Bookmaker Sonny Reizner of the now-defunct Castaways casino set real-money odds on which character on the TV series “Dallas” shot J.R. Ewing, the oil baron at the center of a show that set a record for TV viewership. Reizner ended up taking down the bet and refunded wagers at the request of the Gaming Control Board, which had legitimate concerns about fraud.
2011 Emmy Awards
Best Actor in a Drama
Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) 1/3
Steve Buscemi (“Boardwalk Empire”) 9/4
Michael C. Hall (“Dexter”) 12/1
Kyle Chandler (“Friday Night Lights”) 12/1
Hugh Laurie (“House”) 16/1
Timothy Olyphant (“Justified”) 16/1
Best Actress in a Drama
Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”) 8/11
Elisabeth Moss (“Mad Men”) 11/8
Mireille Enos (“The Killing”) 10/1
Kathy Bates (“Harry’s Law”) 12/1
Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”) 14/1
Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order”) 20/1
Outstanding Drama Series
“Mad Men” 8/15
“Boardwalk Empire” 11/4
“The Good Wife” 9/2
“Game of Thrones” 10/1
“Friday Night Lights” 14/1
“Dexter” 33/1
Outstanding Comedy Series
“Modern Family” 1/7
“30 Rock” 11/2
“The Office” 11/1
“Glee” 12/1
“The Big Bang Theory” 16/1
“Parks and Recreation” 25/1
