Why do David Letterman wear white socks - Talk shows in general

What's in them that makes them so watchable?
They are all the same.
Self-proclamed popular host has a personal live music band that make clowns of themselves, and there are circa 4 guests (read: celebrities). It is supposed to be advertising for both celebrities and the host.
Audience must applaud like mice in the trademill under electric shocks.

(Every now and then there is a clown among guests, but that's an exception.)

Letterman, Ross, Leno, Stewart ---

Originally posted by vandervelde
What's in them that makes them so watchable?
They are all the same.
Self-proclamed popular host has a personal live music band that make clowns of themselves, and there are circa 4 guests (read: celebrities). It is supposed to be advertising for both celebrities and the host.
Audience must applaud like mice in the trademill under electric shocks.

( ...[text shortened]... there is a clown among guests, but that's an exception.)

Letterman, Ross, Leno, Stewart ---