Have you also noticed how quiz shows these days aren't based on contestants actually knowing anything? Instead, they play against each other using a variety of gimmicks and piss-easy questions.
Weakest Link, National Lottery In It To Win It, Duel and Goldenballs are notable examples of this. The emphasis has moved from the difficulty of the questions to whether a player can still screw over their opponent. I suppose just being asked questions is seen as not very trendy in this day and age.
Thank God for Mastermind, University Challenge to balance it out. QI is an exception too - I actually learn things from that programme.