Reality TV > Lopez Favored to Win 'Dancing'
September 11, 2006
Content taken from Zap 2 It:
Former "Saved by the Bell" star Mario Lopez will be the one toting the super-cheesy "Dancing with the Stars" trophy when all is said and done, the Internet odds say.
Lopez, whose credits include a stint as "Dancer/Drummer" on "Kids, Incorporated" in the mid-1980s, is a 3-to-1 favorite to win the third season of the show, according to online bookie PinnacleSports.com. He's paired with professional dancer Karina Smirnoff, who's making her debut on the series.
"Dancing" premieres Tuesday on ABC, with the first results show following on Wednesday. The field has expanded to 11 celebrities this time around, up from 10 last season, and includes the likes of Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, MSNBC pundit Tucker Carlson, talk-show host Jerry Springer and actress Vivica A. Fox.
Fox, whose odds of winning are pegged at 4/1, is the No. 2 favorite on Pinnacle's board. "High School Musical" star Monique Coleman is next at 9/2, followed by Joe "Whoa" Lawrence at 6-to-1. Harry Hamlin, the husband of last season's fourth-place finisher, Lisa Rinna, is at 13-to-2.
Springer, at 49/1, is the longest shot to win by far. Carlson and former Miss USA Shanna Moakler have the next-longest odds at 23/1. Smith is a 14-to-1 shot; singers Willa Ford (9/1) and Sara Evans (10/1) round out the fields
Pinnacle's record at forecasting last season's champ was not great. It anointed Stacy Keibler the favorite before the show started, and she made it to the finale before finishing third. However, runner-up Jerry Rice was given 19-to-1 odds to start, and eventual winner Drew Lachey came off at 9-to-1. Tia Carrere, the second favorite at 7-to-1, was voted off midway through the show.
