I completely agree. The interview questions very often elicit the response "wow, that was a good question" ... something I rarely hear outside the context of this show.
The questions earlier in the series felt more “real”, where I get a sense of promotion now. It was always about the promotion (that was the “prize” in the first episodes), but the questions feel shaped to promote spots for plugs.
Still one of the best interview shows running. The wings give every sense of urgency and gravity. It’s the perfect comic relief to the weight or depth of the question, the focus on the heat disarms the guest of their routine answers and reveals a lot about the person.