Hmm, I don't really disagree with any of that (but who says male drow weren't loved, they where the wizard/magic users afterall).
If anything, this shows the genius of the old approach. No beholder, no problem. Want to use beholders: no problem. Same goes for the Throne of the Gods and lots of other things. But all this set a certain tone for those DMs looking for inspiration. (Style is also good for the PCs, but again my point is how you work it in, and it can be indirect). (Also, on those artifacts, many where not created by Gygax--ie eye and hand of vecna--and many are actually pretty general).