>> don’t know what restrictions (if any) the FCC has on cable commercial time <<
None, if I recall correctly.
But here’s my theory as to what MIGHT be going on for those commercial-laden shows:
The radio and TV powers-that-be might have figured out that they can cram more commercials into a program when most listeners/views are too busy to change the channel. Hence, a morning show on radio or TV — when many audience members are driving to work or eating breakfast — may have more commercials, simply because it’s too much trouble for us to change channels when driving or eating!