Well, L.W. is still excellent and Mario is still an idiot, useful or otherwise.

I think the difference is that Hedges, for example, is a real journalist and has the respect of L.W. and he knows how to ask a question that allows the guest to speak at length and share their knowledge. Mario, on the other hand, seems to ask assertive questions as in "situation x is true, isn't it?" which limits the discourse (and the way he gets hung up on various of these, like the air superiority thing, makes me think he may be told to push certain things, perhaps even during the interview). He also jumps around from topic to topic, which again, reduces the level of the interview.

He also (from the few times I've seen his interviews at length) always seems to believe propaganda and believes the best of the empire. His research also seems to be poor as he's constantly getting corrected by guests which, again, limits the discourse.

L.W. is the business though. Knowledgeable, doesn't try to make claims to some inside track (even though he almost certainly has contacts, he makes certain to avoid talking about it) and always backs up his assertions with evidence.

At least Mario didn't interrupt him too much once he did get into his stride.