AT&T's exclusive deal with Apple ends in 2010. Rumors have been flying about whether or not Apple will remain faithful to Ma Bell or get a little action on the side with Verizon. People on both sides of this debate raise some key points...

Ok, I won't try to sugar coat it, Apple has a history of a wandering eye. Though beginning exclusive deals with AT&T all over the world, Apple has, in the end, signed with multiple carriers in dozens of countries. Can anyone that looks as good as an iProduct stay faithful? Clearly a lifetime of fidelity isn't in the cards for Apple and AT&T, but there are some strong arguments that AT&T will be able to score one more contract before sharing the iPhone love.

Most compelling are the logistical realities prohibiting a Verizon/Apple union. Verizon currently uses a CDMA network. Apple would have to create a phone to comply with this technology, which is kind of a problem since even Verizon plans on phasing it out by 2012 and replacing it with LTE (AT&T also plans to use this). Why would Apple spend time, brilliance and cash creating a phone that would begin a quick death from conception? Some people are speculating that talks between Verizon and Apple are essentially Verizon's attempt to keep more people from switching carriers with vague rumors (vaporware anyone?).

Can you sort out this love triangle? If so, BetUS is taking odds on all sorts of iLove action.

Labels: Apple, gambling, iPhone, iPod, Sportbet, Verizon

posted by Mary at 3:44 PM

On one hand, I think that women should have the right to make money and express their life in any way they choose......This includes expressing their lives as decorations for cash.

On the other hand, the following things make me a little queasy - A woman's most valuable asset in 2009 is still her beauty (in dominant culture). Women are actually voluntarily parading themselves on a stage to be scrutinized in bikinis. Media criticisms of the most powerful women in the world are still focused on how they fail as objects, not as intellects. And, to quote Ani Difranco "You know I could go on, but it just gets worse and I should probably stop there."

Maybe you want to party like it is 1959 and take a vested interest in Miss USA 2009. Maybe you think that beauty pageants are great and set up positive role models for young girls. Or, maybe you just want women who are not dressing for pay to profit off this contest. Whatever your take on Miss USA is, you can find complete odds for each contestant, listed by state, at BetUS.

Utah +700
Nebraska +800
Hawaii +800
California +1800
Colorado +3000
New Jersey +5500
South Dakota +8000

Labels: gambling, Miss Usa 2009, prop bet

posted by Mary at 10:40 AM

While your heart may be crying our for the answer to that question to be a brilliant show like My So Called Life your wallet may do better with Baywatch. Bookmaker is taking bets on remakes of the following shows: Saved by the Bell, Full House and Baywatch. Strangely enough, they also seem think the odds are in that order, with Saved by the Bell being the most likely to be remade and Baywatch being the least likely.

Saved by the Bell - Most likely to be remade? While part of me recoils from this idea, a calm evaluation of the facts leads one to the conclusion that, for reasons unknowable, Saved by the Bell may be the only thing in Hollywood more resilient than Julia Robert's forever young skin. This teen drama has led to The College Years, The New Class, two TV movies and a comic book series. Even the "original" Saved by the Bell is a remake of Good Morning, Miss Bliss. Can Mr. Belding make campy jokes while doling out guidance to young people whose lives are addressing the social problem du jour for one more remake? Sure he can. Just ask him and Jimmy Fallon who have recently campaigned for just such an event on SNL.

Full House - The problem with remaking this show is that its appeal is far more about members of the Tanner family than any formula or theme. Apparently, John Stamos (Uncle Jesse) pushed hard and long for a semi-remake of the show before giving up. The idea was to look at the lives of the Tanner girls all grown up (which seems like it would have mass appeal if most of the Tanner ladies were actually available). Does anyone think that the Olson twins are going to make regular appearances on a Full House remake? Even Uncle Jesse's wife on the show is now busy starring on the 90210 remake. Unless the show became extremely subversive, it is hard to imagine how D.J. and Stephanie's characters could be compelling enough to fuel an entire series.

Baywatch - This seems like a good bet. After all, in the words of Joey and Chandler from Friends the appeal of this show is as simple and timeless as it is universal -
"beautiful people running."

Saved by the Bell -150
Full House +100
Baywatch +150

Labels: 90's remakes, Baywatch, Full House, Olson twins, prop bet, Saved by the Bell

posted by Mary at 12:02 PM

If you believe the gossip, it will be Johnny Depp and Philip Seymore Hoffman - playing The Riddler and the Penguin respectively. If you believe in choosing stars by democratic process (okay, actually just an online survey by Blockbuster), Johnny Depp would be the first choice, followed by Angelina Jolie as Catwoman. Really though, it is hard to imagine losing as a move watcher (or a prop bettor) if either Hoffman or Depp is cast for the role of villain, let alone both of them.

Then there is Eddie Murphy.....While Murphy's personal life may make him a very believable villain, his tendency to dwell more in the valley of bombs than in the Hollywood hills of blockbusters may make film makers shy away from him. Then again, the severe (albeit negative) response of Batman fans to this rumor could actually help drum up buzz for the film.

Bookmaker has the odds at:

Phillip Seymore Hoffman +100
Eddie Murphy +200
Johnny Depp +150

Labels: Batman Villain, betting, Eddie Murphy, Johnny Depp, Phillip Seymore Hoffman, prop bet

posted by Mary at 11:03 AM

BetUS has odds on who will be the next rapper sentenced to prison. Interestingly enough, bookmakers seem to think that Kanye West is the most likely to go that route. While he does seem a touch impulsive and narcissistic (actually going on stage at the European MTV awards when his video didn't win to argue that the decision was wrong? Come on) he is also a person whose life demonstrates a lot of drive, discipline and focus. A man who is investing in a clothing line, fast food companies, his faith, charity, his record label and his own brand doesn't seem likely to throw it all away on criminal behavior.

Snoop Dogg is a more obvious favorite with line makers. His legal troubles have been extensive and, while he has an uncanny ability to duck prison despite a seemingly constant barrage of charges, no one's luck lasts forever.

Here are some of the odds from BetUS:

Kanye West +300
Nas +500
Jay Z +1200
Snoop Dogg +500
Young Jeezy +500
Flo Rida +500
Soulja Boy +800
Jamie Foxx +800
Ludacris +1000
David Banner +800
Rick Ross +800
Eminem +1200
Dr. Dre +1200

Labels: David Banner, Eminem, Flo Rida, gambling, Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Ludacris, Nas, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, Soulja Boy, Sportbet, Young Jeezy

posted by Mary at 2:03 PM