Mario Lopez deemed the favorite to to win 'Dancing with the Stars 3'

Former "Saved by the Bell" actor Mario Lopez is the odds-on favorite to win this season of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" competition.

ADVERTISEMENT

An international TV sensation with versions in different countries, "Dancing" is set to make its third U.S. season premiere Tuesday and the 32-year-old Lopez has been named the favorite to win this season, PinnacleSports.com said in a news release.

The entertainment betting service has placed Lopez's odds at victory this season at 3-to-1, followed closely by fellow acting contestants Vivica A. Fox and Monique Coleman at 4-to-1 and 9-to-2, respectively.

RELATED LINKS Dancing with the Stars Message Board RealityTVWorld: Dancing with the Stars RealityTVWorld: Dancing with the Stars 1 RealityTVWorld: Dancing with the Stars 2 RealityTVWorld: Dancing with the Stars 3 SirLinksALot: Dancing with the Stars More Television News

While PinnacleSports.com has tabbed MSNBC news anchor Tucker Carlson and former Miss USA Shanna Moakler as long-shots for victory at 23-to-1 each, the betting agency gave bottom honors to talk show host Jerry Springer at 49-to-1.

Actor Joey Lawrence came in at 6-to-1, former "L.A. Law" star Harry Hamlin was given 13-to-2 odds, rocker Willa Ford was awarded a 9-to-1 chance, country singer Sara Evans, 10-to-1, and NFL great Emmitt Smith, 14-to-1.

Last season, online oddsmakers had named Stacy Keibler, who eventually finished third, as the pre-season favorite to win last winter's second edition of "Dancing with the Stars."