Well, speaking of illiterate, no one actually disputed that.
It still is, however a gross oversimplification. Fructose is dense in calories, easily absorbed (which is calories in, not necessarily the food you swallow), contributes heavily to lipogenesis, and does not inhibit leptin, a hormone that controls hunger.
Lots of data and an entertaining presentation, which starts by addressing calories in and calories out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z5X0i92OZQ