>> Going through this process also lets you know if you actually want to work with the person.

This. That's the idea of an interview, to see if there is the right chemistry. It's like going on a date: the description/photos could be awesome but you quickly learn you don't even like having coffee together with that person. That is the point of a face-to-face meeting.

As for the background and the pedigree, plenty of the information can be provided and made ready for study without the need for an interview. The interview time should not be wasted on things you cannot assess in that short a time anyway.