Nope, my argument is that Ian as a host should consider the overall MOOD of the show for each and every segment. (or at least each and every hour)
I think when FTL gets dull and lower rated by listeners in quality... it is becuase the show has gotten too serious and doomy/gloomy.
It's also bad for selling Liberty because the average person does not respond to being told they live in tyranny in a doom and gloom fashion. (The average person is too stupid to even realize they live in tyranny) I believe that new listeners and old listeners alike respond to the show in a much better fashion when the show has a good balance of some lighthearted fun, with serious topics... interspersed back and forth either every other segment, or mixed within a segment.
I believe an entire show can be successful as a lighthearted endeavor... but too much of this, and we'd simply come off as clownish buffoons.
I think maybe there are a few exceptions to the above being a rule - such as interviews with fascinating guests...
or serious personal stories that have a lot of really interesting details...
However.. on the whole... I believe BALANCE is VERY important.