Sure, it's a new year, and we know you're hankering for some reality, right? I mean, I caught myself watching The Biggest Loser marathon on Bravo on New Year's Day just because I needed some kind of fix (and motivation!)

Coming up this month are two of your old favorites: The Apprentice L.A. premieres this Sunday and American Idol premieres on the 16th. Hold yourself back, I know. Before the competitions even start, you can put a little cash down really early on whether you think a male or female will win either one of the popular shows.

Bodog breaks down the odds the same for both shows:

Will the winner of the Donald Trump hosted reality TV series "The Apprentice 6" be male or female?
Male -120
Female -120

Will the winner of the hit reality TV series "American Idol 6" be male or female?
Male -120
Female -120

I know this is really early on for either show. I mean, nobody's even been wittled down from the large pool of people yet. But, a good rule of thumb is to check and see which gender won the season previous. This is especially true for American Idol-- they've gone female/male with no surprises so far. The Apprentice doesn't follow that formula so much, but it's been a majority male-winning show, so keep that in mind.

Labels: American Idol, Apprentice, Bodog, reality

posted by Kari at 1:31 PM

So much going on this week. Firstly, on Survivor, the tribe WE ALL HATE MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD lost immunity and cheers were heard the world round. Then, in something that rarely, if ever, happened on Survivor, four...FOUR people got votes cast for them in tribal council. It went down like this:

Courtney, Danielle, Cirie voted for: Bobby (3)
Shane voted for: Aras (1)
Bruce voted for: Courtney (1)
Aras and Bobby voted for: Bruce (2)

So Bobby is gone, and I think we don't care because we'd like to see all of them get voted off.

Go La Mina.

From a betting perspective, Bobby was 5 to 1, so not a long shot or a favorite, really. What's more interesting from a betting perspective is that the hatred on Casaya tribe means that you have to wonder about the ability of any of them to go far, because anything could happen on that tribe at any time. Aras is a favorite at 2 to 1, but that may not be such a strong bet any more. His tribe seems ready to cut him off at the drop of a hat. Start looking for La Mina value in Dan and Terry. Remember that we've got a whole Survivor Betting Guide if you need a refresher.

Oh, would somebody put up American Idol 5 odds already? I'd be cleaning up, having predicted all four LOSERS this week (except that I dug Sway, so that made me sad). From the girls, Heather Cox and her Mariah balad (has she never watched a season? Just...don't...sing...Mariah) and Brenna "I was put on the show so that America would have somebody to hate" Gethers went on home. From the boys, Sway made me sad and left and the crooner is gone, but how much further could he go, really?

And nobody has Apprentice odds up, because nobody knew that a new season had started. Hello? NBC, why would you put that show up against 24? Oh, because your other option is putting it against American Idol. I feel you.

Labels: American Idol, Apprentice, reality, Survivor

posted by pregamejocelyn at 10:13 PM

...but that doesn't mean the odds don't! With both the Grammy and Golden Globe nominations announced over this past week, awards season is in full swing, and here at HollyWagers we'll give you the best betting guides on these big shows!

This season, don't bother with the little office pools- make a little pool of money for yourself with our betting guides! In the next few weeks, we'll be posting the guides, so keep it here!

Labels: Apprentice, Survivor

posted by Kari at 12:51 PM

Yes! There's a lot of info out there if you want to bet the exciting finales of Survivor: Guatamala or The Apprentice 4. Okay, actually the only excitement is at Survivor since we pretty much know Randal will win The Apprentice, but that also means that you can win. So it works out.

Click here to read our Survivor: Guatamala Betting Guide

Click here to read our Apprentice 4 Betting Guide

Happy TV Watching!

Labels: Apprentice, reality, Survivor

posted by pregamejocelyn at 5:34 PM

It's 11:40pm, and any minute now Oprah is coming on Letterman and not only am I excited to see this go down, but I actually bet on what Dave would do over at Bodog. So come on, Oprah. Come on!

Even without this, it's been one of the best night's of TV you can bet on EVER.

On Survivor, Judd went home. And he went home after he gave us two of the most fantastic TV moments I could ever ask for. Did you watch? Did you see? First, it was oh so good, during the immunity challenge (which I didn't understand -- an auction?), Jeff Probst in the embarassing-to-you-AND-me way that he does, points at his temple and taps his head and actually says "You'll need smarts for this one." It's embarassing enough to watch Probst act the fool, but the best moment was after he says "You'll need smarts for this one" and the camera cuts to Judd rolling his eyes like HE KNOWS HE'S NOT SMART. So funny.

Better than that? Judd gets voted out and leaves saying, "You're all scumbags." Dude, come on. You were ready to cut Lydia's throat. She was part of your alliance too, remember? You got gamed, sucker.

So Danni, the favorite, makes a move. But Rafe is looking pretty good to me right now at 5 to 1 odds. So you win $5 for every $1 you bet, and if he makes it into the final two, he's going to win for sure. Stephenie's at 7 to 2, and she's got a good shot too if she can make it that far. If Cindy or Lydia are in the final two, people will probably feel like they didn't bring enough game to deserve to be there. Danni may be the favorite, but it's just a long shot that she'll get that far. For the record, Judd was at 9 to 2 when he got voted off. Guess the oddsmakers figured what we did. He was too annoying to win this thing.

Click to see all the Survivor odds at Bodog.

And on The Apprentice: Donald, another brilliant moment. Bill Rancik guest spots on the show even though there's not a person in America who doesn't prefer George to Bill. Felicia and Alla are on a team together, a team I liked to call Team PMS, and they're bickering like, well, women with PMS. Then the camera cuts to Bill. He's in the traditional high school jock senior portrait pose. He's got one leg up and he's leaning over with his arm resting on his leg. Imagine it. Anyway, he smirks and says, "Felicia seems to be having trouble managing Alla." But we know what he means. He means, "Look at me, I'm the only real apprentice ever. Silly women." It was wonderful.

And in the inevitable, Randal's team wins and the crazy women go to the board room and both get fired. And I don't often challenge Trump, but Alla shouldn't have been fired. Really. So now it's down to Randal at 5 to 6, so you should have bet him last week when he was at even money, and Rebecca at even money. And it's been painfully evident for the entire season that Randal will win unless he completely ruins his final task. You should have bet him last week when he was even money!

Okay, Oprah just came on. She looks stunning, as always, and here's how you could have won cash. Bodog had the following odds up all week:

How will David Letterman greet Oprah Winfrey when she appears on The Late Show December 1, 2005?

• With a hug and kiss on cheek (3 to 2)
• With a handshake, hug, and kiss on the cheek (11 to 5)
• With a handshake and kiss on cheek (3 to 1)
• With only a hug (5 to 1)
• With only a handshake (7 to 1)
• With a handshake and a hug (6 to 1)
• With a hug and a kiss on the lips (15 to 1)
• With a jump on his couch (20 to 1)
• No physical contact whatsoever (50 to 1)

Here's the thing, I was watching, but I couldn't tell if there was a kiss on the cheek or not. There was definitely a hug, so if you had bet "With only a hug" you got 5 to 1 on the money you bet. And if there was a kiss on the cheek, and there might have been, you still made $3 for every $2 you bet. And those were the obvious choices.

What a night of TV! Bodog's got great entertainment bets going on right now. Click to check them out.

Labels: Apprentice, reality, Survivor

posted by pregamejocelyn at 11:40 PM

But on Survivor, I don't have much to be thankful for. Gary went. Oddly enough, Danni is still the favorite at 3 to 2, even though I have NO IDEA IN THE WORLD how she could possibly swing it to make it into the final four. And Rafe, who's won THREE immunity challenges is at 5 to 1. To me, it's simple math. We know that Rafe, Stephenie or Judd will be the final two. There's no way all three of them will get eliminated before then. Factor the match and figure out how to hedge. I mean, technically I suppose there's a way where they could all three get voted off, but can you imagine?

On Donald's Apprentice, Adam went and it was about time. They tried to make it look like Randall wasn't a shoe in by talking about how his stock had dropped, but come on. Who's gonna beat him?

Get on over to Bodog and bet on Randall at even money. And maybe get bold and bet on Survivor, too. I have a feeling about Rafe, don' t you?

Labels: Apprentice, reality, Survivor

posted by pregamejocelyn at 1:30 PM

You know they won't be bringing this show back next season, right? I guess I'll have to find another way to put myself to sleep.

Amanda went, but she was at 10 to 1 anyway. You can still bet on the winner, who will obviously be Dawna or Leslie, at Bodog. I dare you to bet on Jim. Dare you. You can make 4 times your money if Martha's crazy enough to hire him. I dare you.

Labels: Apprentice, reality

posted by pregamejocelyn at 10:30 PM

By the way, just for the record, anybody who guessed that because Maggie Grace got movie contracts she'd be the next character voted off of Lost, looks like you cleaned up if you put some money down over at Bodog.

My evening starts out badly and gets, well...

I know, I know, Brandon, Gary, Bobby Jon and Danni have almost NO chance of winning Survivor. Yet they continue to post favorites odds (Danni is 3 to 2, Gary is 3 to 1 and before he went packing off to some resort tonight Bobby Jon was posting at 7 to 2). Anyway, if you saw the show, then you know that Gary found the extra immunity idol and Bobby John went down in a confused jury vote and it was very sad because, well, we all love Bobby Jon right? So here's my point. The three remaining Yaxha members seem doomed, yet they're still the favorites of the oddsmakers. I'd love to see Gary win, but, man, Cindy at 11 to 2 and Lydia at 12 to 1 both seem like they may be good bets. They haven't offended anybody yet, and if people keep voting along tribal lines, at least one of the two of them is almost sure to be in the final four. Hmmmmm.....

And also somebody PLEASE vote Stephenie off. She is UNBEARABLE this season.

And then...

And then...

Last week I say that Marshawn is a great longshot pick to win it all. I say "Great value in that pick." And this week she blows off her team and bails on the at the 11th hour and gets fired? Oh, and Brian gets fired, too, but who even knew who he was?

Odds at Bodog for The Apprentice: Donald have shifted. Randall is still in the lead at even money (and he'd have to uncover naked shots of Donald and post them online to not win this at this point), but Alla has moved up to 4 to 1 and Rebecca has moved up to 3 to 2. And honestly, probably one of them will be in the final two, so if Randall has a bad last task....

It's not too late to get over to Bodog and place a bet. It's down to the final six. Plus, deposit $25 at Bodog and you'll get a free $25 to bet with, so you can place an extra bet on Survivor or, if you've been able to stay awake through it, The Apprentice: Martha.

Oh, Bobby Jon!!!!! Why you?!

Labels: Apprentice, reality, Survivor

posted by pregamejocelyn at 9:09 PM

I really couldn't be bothered to watch the nonsense that is The Apprentice: Martha last week, but if I had I would have yawned along with the rest of the nation when those two boring blonds got eliminated after they tried to sell Tide-To-Go stain sticks with hip hop? Hip hop? My mom uses Tide detergent. Not so keen on the hip hop, my mom.

Coming in to tonight's episode, Dawna (6 to 5 odds), Howie and Leslie (both at 3 to 2 odds) were the strong favorites over at Bodog, who's taking bets on the outcome.

But then last night Howie did, well, nothing, which pretty much sums up what happened in the entire episode. Nothing. Lots of nothing. But Howie's gone, and the long shot bets are Amanda at 10 to 1 and Ryan at 8 to 1, and no matter how hard I try, I just can't care.

Labels: Apprentice, reality

posted by pregamejocelyn at 8:55 PM

Look, if you were putting your money on Marcus over at Bodog on The Apprentice, then you got what you deserved last night. Got your money on Randall? I hope so, because after Trump all but drooled on him, pointing out that he's been PM twice and not lost, I think we all know how this season is ending.

Over on Survivor, I told you last week that Brandon's odds were inflated and that for sure at least the first week after the merge the voting would be along tribal lines. Hope you listened and didn't put any money down on him! If you believe the tribes will realign, then Bobby John at 7 to 2, Danni at 3 to2 and Gary at 3 to 1 still make sense as the favorites. But Rafe or Cindy would pretty much have to switch tribal lines for that to happen. Otherwise, you have to think an original Nakum member will win, and that puts good betting value for your money on Judd at 9 to 1, Jamie at 8 to 1 and Stephenie at 7 to 2.

Remember when we all liked Stephenie? That seems so long ago. Now she seems kind of, you know, not as nice as I remember.

Labels: Apprentice, reality, Survivor

posted by pregamejocelyn at 1:43 PM

Apparently, ratings and action were so low on Martha's Apprentice that NBC decided to see exactly HOW BORING they could possibly make it as a challenge to themselves. At least that's my explanation for tonight's episode. Somehow, a show tonight that involved Susan Lucci, Todd Oldham, Chad Pennington in the dorkiest get up I've ever seen an NFLer wear and lots more CRRRRAAAAAZZZYY JIM...HE'S SO CRAAAAAZZZZYYY, still left me bored to tears.

Bodog has odds up on the winner and the favorites are Howie, Bethenny and ... Marcela? Huh? Amanda is at 14 to 1? That's insane. Right now I think she's got an excellent shot to win it. If I hadn't already hung my hat on Howie, I'd lay down some cash on her. She was powerful tonight.

Why is she so NICE to them? We know it's an act. We know she's stark raving beyatch material. This show could have been good. All those crazy people cooking in a kitchen. That insane Jim guy. The strange dude with the stogie. How did Martha, who is not boring, manage to make that show boring? Not only did I not care who went home, I got up and did this blog post rather than watch the end of the show.

Seriously, I care SO MUCH MORE about possibly betting on Janet's secret daughter than I do about that woman's eye cancer and her bond with the terror that is Fran Drescher.

Labels: Apprentice, reality

posted by pregamejocelyn at 10:45 PM

Bethenny and Marcela are still leading the odds at Bodog at 3 to 1 and 4 to one, but after their meltdowns last night, I can't figure either of them will make it through to the end. Bethenny looked like she was going to have a full on breakdown over selling a cake. And we all know the pressure ratchets up as the season goes on. Howie's right behind them at 7 to 2 odds, and he had a meltdown, too. I just can't imagine any of these three will actually win.

But Jim is at 9 to 1. NINE to ONE. He's annoying as all get out, but he has more of what it takes to make it through than Bethenny.

But I think the value may be on David at 8 to 1. It's hard to imagine some internet whiz kid winning this, but he was a great PM last night. And usually the people who are flying under the radar a bit at the beginning come on strong at the end. It's worth $10 of my money behind David to possibly win 80. That's all I'm saying.

I still want to see Dawn gone. I can barely stand her. And Alexis is no Caroline. That is all.

Labels: Apprentice, reality

posted by pregamejocelyn at 11:55 AM