One of the frightening things about working with data feeds from bookmakers is that I’m being exposed to culture (and I use the word advisedly) I wouldn’t normally experience.

Browsing the specials from the Stan James data feed I noticed that you can bet on something called ‘American Idol 7’. Now I’m guessing this is some kind of TV show, most likely one where objectionable people get voted off – like picking the playground football team only in reverse and with far less tension.

You can even bet on the gender of the winner of American Idol 7 – currently it’s 4-to-1 on that a male will win. Given that there seem to be 10 contestants remaining, and judging by their names an equal number of each gender, there must be either 5 extremely attractive, pleasant, intelligent blokes in this show, or 5 absolute dogs.

It’s almost, but not quite, enough to make me want to watch it.