Standing O's

Michael Paulson discusses how audiences seem to be overdoing it with standing ovations. The main problem I have with them is the same problem I have with the words "legend" or "legendary" which now seem to be applied to just about everyone and everything. I happened upon a clip of Andy Richter on The Masked Singer and he was referred to as a "late night legend."

Now, I happen to think Andy Richter is a very funny guy who was very good in the earlier years of Conan O'Brien's show. But if you describe him as a "late night legend," what term do you use for Johnny Carson or Steve Allen? And if you give a standing ovation to a C+ show, how do you show heightened approval for one that you think merits an A?