To be fair, I've seen Cutts jump in on "no-name" threads where there is an issue with Googlebot or some search-related thing. It does not appear to be favoritism, beyond choice of forums in which to participate.
Fairness is what it's all about. I like yiur choice of wording. A lot of people have a problem with Matt Cutts jumping in because they feel it's not fair. They're mistaking equality for fairness. This is perfectly fair but not equal. Equality sucks. Fairness is better. Fairness is treatment based on merit and equality is just equal treatment no matter what the situation. Equality can really screw you if you're on the wrong side of it.