Joanne Weintraub doesn't remember "the judges being quite so brutal last year, but the sadistic streak that's become increasingly obvious in reality TV is evident here."

David Bianculli says that based on the unexpected success of the first season's prefabrication, Eden's Crush, the show has gained credibility for its sophomore season.

John Carman cringes at the thought of a second co-ed season featuring "more of the worst music you ever heard, performed by a legion of future burger flippers."