I will also point and say, what askye said. And agree that the judging across the board used to be much better than it is now (even Mary). Everyone they have on the panel actually has tons of dancing experience, but this season for sure (and to an extent S2) the judges have been much more about the AI style empty critiques. They used to get real down and dirty.
The thing I love about SYCYTD, that for me puts it head and shoulders above AI (though I loooove AI) is that the contestants are ridiculously talented. And many of the choreographers are very good. So you wind up with talented people doing well-choreographed routines that push them and help them grow as dancers. Revolutionary! And every now and again, you still get good critiques. If you ever catch an episode with Mia Michaels on panel, she gives good, constructive feedback. Dan Karaty, for all that he's a crap choreographer, is a good judge as well. Nigel (the creepy old British dude) sometimes gives good critiques as well, but sometimes uses his post to push his own personal agenda or try to be the low rent Simon Cowell. I miss Brian Friedman on the panel, because he always gave good critiques (and he was a diva bitch to boot which was delicious). Most of the rest of the rotating judges are useless. I guess I really love this show because I think, of all the "talent" reality shows (and I include PR and Top Chef and the like in this bunch), SYTYCD has by far the most consistently high talent level. Learning a new, possibly completely unfamiliar, style of dance well enough to present a polished routine every week is incredibly difficult. And later in the competition, these kids are learning two to three dances per week plus a group routine. I am in awe of that.