TIME's TV critic on how American Idol has gotten too sweet:

The problem with liking everything is that it becomes meaningless to like anything. Deciphering Idol judges' comments now requires kremlinology: you listen for the shadings that distinguish "That was great!" (I truly loved your performance) from "You know you're great" (I like you too much to specify why your performance was bad).

You know everyone's favorite judge was Simon, even if he was occasionally off the mark.