This is a very intriguing discussion. On the one hand, the complaint that it is childish and immature to feel a need to put down Talmidei Chachomim is quite valid. On the other hand, however, when foolish semi-learned and egoistic people create an atmosphere of embarrassment rather than one of Kovod HaTorah, they should perhaps be called out.
The second scenario presented by CS is unfortunately common, and also not as incriminating as it sounds. Many times very learned leaders of young men (sometimes known as Rosh Yeshivas), especially elderly ones, have convinced themselves, justifiably or not, that they have “something valuable to impart”, no doubt due to the fact that they often do have valuable advice for their young charges, but not necessarily in other situations, like a beis ovel. Their unwelcome verbosity, ergo, often “goes with the territory”, and probably ought to be tolerated in normal situations.
The first story presented, however, can be more problematic, since these “learned” fellows are seemingly violating clear halacha, and perhaps shouldn’t be shown much respect, but it really depends on the context. Let me explain.
A number of years ago, a major out-of-town g’vir lost his wife, and many noted personalities came to the l’vaya. This g’vir was perhaps not from the greatest bnei Torah himself, and many of his friends were also rather uncouth. Right after the seudas havra’ah, the ovel sat down in his living room for the first nichum aveilm, together with some members of his wife’s family. Immediately, in a poorly-orchestrated effort to “cheer him up”, a number of his crass friends started making foolish and inappropriate jokes and remarks, with the ovel himself laughing along with them, which created a very embarrassing situation for his poor father-in-law and brothers-in-law, not to mention the many venerable Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshivos in the room. After a few minutes of this, a number of the talmidei chachomim there began quietly conversing among themselves, in effect “tuning out” the un-Torah-like atmosphere around them, and after a short while, they stood up and “spoke 30 seconds to the availim said the posek and left.” Sounds familiar?
Pay attention to the context.