I have an aunt who went to a party at which she met Michael Douglas (who, BTW, once played the President opposite Annette Bening in some movie whose title now escapes me), and I was excited (even though vicariously through her!)
Sure, it borders on the Kevin Bacon game, and may sound pathetic. But I think it's that whole connectivity. You may like (or not like) my dh if you ever met him -- who knows -- and you may like (or not like) Jimmy Carter, for whatever reason. But if I say, "Hey, I was at the pool at OKW with (dh's name)!" you would think, "Who the heck is that?" and be left with no clue -- tall, short, blond, bald, or otherwise. But if I say, "I was at the OKW pool with Jimmy Carter!" you know who I'm talking about -- it's a connection, and gives you an immediate image -- good, bad, or otherwise in your opinion, but a connection nonetheless.
Lastly, I must add -- I try to never judge a person solely by what I see via media. The media can paint smart, good people as total failures, and yet let complete boobs somehow rise to the top.... (And I'm not being specific here or referring to anyone in particular -- just in general).