Bucky Next to Leave American Idol

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao – (PRESS RELEASE) -- With only eight finalists remaining on American Idol, the pressure mounts with each week's performance for the contestants vying for a major recording deal and instant stardom. The first company to open betting on the latest installment of the show, PinnacleSports.com has already seen a record amount of wagering on American Idol. Each week bettors flock to PinnacleSports.com to wager on which contestant will be eliminated, along with who'll win America's vote and become the fifth American Idol.

Heading into tonight's performances featuring the music of Queen , PinnacleSports.com believes Bucky Covington will be "under pressure" of being the next contestant to have his Idol dreams crushed, listing him as a 4/7 favorite (i.e., win $4 for every $7 bet) to be eliminated by the voting public. Elliott Yamin is listed with the second-best odds to be voted off of the show at 4/1, followed closely by one-time Idol favorite Ace Young at 5/1. After appearing in the bottom three last week, PinnacleSports.com has listed Paris Bennett at 10/1 to get her walking papers this week. Kellie Pickler (16/1), Katharine McPhee (35/1), Taylor Hicks (60/1) and Chris Daughtry (100/1) will stave-off elimination for at least another week.

"Although Bucky has been the favorite to be voted off for a few weeks now, he's managed to survive elimination, but 'another one bites the dust' this week and the betting public believes it will be Bucky," said Simon Noble of PinnacleSports.com. "American Idol has easily surpassed the Oscars as the most popular entertainment event with bettors, and at this point wagering on who'll be eliminated each week is generating unprecedented interest."

Meanwhile, Chris Daughtry remains the odds-on favorite to become the next American Idol at 13/10, followed by Katharine McPhee at 3/1. PinnacleSports.com then lists grey-haired Taylor Hicks at 7/2 to win the recording contract, while Kellie Pickler rounds out the top four at 7/1. While the oddsmaker's favorites for elimination, Paris Bennett (20/1), Elliott Yamin (20/1), Ace Young (60/1), and Bucky Covington (100/1) are all listed as distant long shots to win America's largest talent search.