Pat, I realized that I did not totally answer your question.

Will carpets be the next big thing?? That is a tough one to answer. Everyone has tried to find the next big thing. People believed the blood pythons were it. I believe it is a combination of both.
As more and more laws get passed and more regulations against large constrictors become more common, people will look toward a smaller species to keep. Carpets and bloods fill the big, but not too big, snakes.
People will have their favorites but I do believe that both of these will fill a niche in that void. Most people pass carpets by for a more flashier snake(s), but those that do get one, wind up getting more. Just like ball morphitis!! LOL!

Hope this answered all your original questions.