You liked the show where Barney hired actors to be his family? Really? I thought that one was kind of a yawn. And I thought the finale was great! The washcloth obsessed goat, Ted doing his presentation with the hoof mark on his forehead, the rapport between Robin and Barney… I thought it was all pretty brilliant. But I agree that there is a lot you could nitpick with this show, yet I still love it.

I thought that too. But I don’t think that was cynicism people were exhibiting at the beginning, but rather contempt. People have contempt for people they are afraid of becoming. And I don’t think the audience members were being self-righteous or hypocritical by lauding her. I think they were relieved. They felt better about themselves because all of a sudden she made them see that you don’t need to put yourself through all the stupid and inane things you put yourself through to make yourself feel wanted or socially accepted. We’re all insecure, and yet we all pretend that we’re not by making fun of the Susan Boyles of the world. But in that single performance, the REAL Susan Boyles reminded us that our superficial insecurities are ultimately useless – and that’s why we love her.