How to Bet on Award Show Hosts
Nora Colgan 
Awards shows have exploded in popularity over the last decade, and so has betting on everything related to them – from the winners and losers, to ratings, viewership, fashion trends, and of course, the hosts. Betting on award show hosts has become a huge market, with oddsmakers setting lines on hosts’ opening monologue lengths, proposed jokes, wardrobe choices, and more. The Oscars have one of the richest histories when it comes to hosts, with over 60 different hosts over the decades.
If you want to get in on the action of this growing niche, here’s everything you need to know about betting on award show hosts in 2024. There are many factors to research and types of bets to make when wagering on hosts.
Choosing Your Hosts
The first step is deciding which award show hosts you want to bet on. The major shows like the Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, and Golden Globes get the most betting action for their hosts given their prestige and visibility. But don’t rule out some second tier shows too – the BET Awards, MTV Movie Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and others have hosts that have become big personalities. Do your research on the upcoming shows and expected hosts to find the right opportunities to place bets. Look at the historical caliber of hosts for each show to gauge the level of host they may get.
Studying Repeat Hosts
Once you’ve chosen one or more award show hosts to bet on, look into whether they have hosted major shows repeatedly. The Oscars, for example, has had 25 repeat hosts over the years, led by legend Bob Hope hosting a whopping 19 times between 1940 and 1978. Other notable Oscar repeat hosts include Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jimmy Kimmel. Their experience and familiarity with the hosting role can influence betting odds and decisions. See if they have improved or become stale over multiple hosting appearances over the years.
Know Their Style
For both first-time and repeat hosts, familiarize yourself with their hosting style by studying previous shows they’ve done. What kinds of jokes do they tell? Do they lean more toward edgy political humor or safe, self-deprecating jokes? How likely are they to work blue? How do they interact with the audience and presenters? These tendencies will inform the odds and your betting strategy. Pay attention to how far hosts are willing to push the envelope with controversial material.
Opening Monologue Wagers
One major betting opportunity is the host’s opening monologue – specifically the number of jokes and the topics covered. Sportsbooks will set an over/under for number of jokes, allowing you to bet on whether the host will tell more or fewer jokes than expected based on their past monologue styles. There are also prop bets on specific joke topics – current events, politics, celebrity gossip, etc. Research the headlines and events leading up to the awards to predict monologue content.
In-Show Antics
Beyond the monologue, hosts interact throughout the show in unpredictable ways – and sportsbooks offer odds on their antics. Bets might include whether they’ll sing, dance, change costumes, reference past moments, work in jokes with presenters, or roast nominees. Study their energy levels and improv skills for clues. Don’t forget to check whether any of your favorites have already turned down an invitation to host.
Wardrobe and Appearance Bets
Award show hosts are some of the most scrutinized fashion plates of the evening. Betting markets abound on their sartorial choices for the big night. Common bets include the color and designer of their outfit, whether they’ll wear glasses, total wardrobe changes, and hairstyle details for women like up vs. down. Even small flourishes like jewelry, nail polish color, and other accessories may have odds. Some hosts are bolder and more experimental with their fashion.
Ratings and Reception Wagers
Some of the most straightforward host bets are on how their performance will be received by both critics and audiences. Specific wagers may include:
- The host’s approval rating from viewers based on polls and social media sentiment
- Percentage of positive vs. negative reviews from major media outlets and entertainment sites
- Effects on show viewership and ratings compared to past years
- Advertising demand and revenue based on viewership
- Odds of the host being asked to return for next year’s show
These metrics cover how well the host’s comedic material, chemistry with stars, and overall presentation resonates with audiences. It’s smart to wait until after the show airs to bet on reception, as lines can shift quickly as reactions roll in. Viewership can be affected by factors beyond just the host.
Using Betting Strategies
To optimize your award show host betting, it helps to employ some smart strategies:
- Don’t make too many correlated bets tied to one outcome. For example, betting they’ll sing, change costumes multiple times, etc., can all go wrong together.
- Hedge your action by betting both sides of major props, like over/under jokes. This limits downside risk.
- Shop for the best odds across multiple sportsbooks. A half-point difference here or there affects payouts.
- When in doubt, fade the public consensus by betting contrarian. Zig when they zag.
- Manage your bankroll so you don’t risk too large a portion on any one wager.
Proper bankroll management is key. Always remember award show hosts can surprise with unexpected jokes, stunts, or even mistakes. So, bet wisely and enjoy the unpredictable ride! Don’t let emotion affect your betting discipline.
Enjoy the Show!
With the right approach, you can have fun betting on all aspects of an award show host’s performance – from their jokes and antics to their ratings and reception. So, do your homework on these historic hosts and get ready to enjoy the entertainment! Research and smart bets lead to both good payouts and a great viewing experience. Award show hosts have big shoes to fill in entertaining millions of viewers for a major live event. Their unpredictable hosting choices combined with shifting audience tastes each year make for an exciting betting experience.
