#17 David Letterman
CBS's veteran schmoozer is still one of the network's biggest stars. His late-night show remains a popular pit stop for stars and politicos. A newly svelte Britney Spears dropped by last year, a day before filing for divorce; in March, Sen. John McCain announced his candidacy for president on the program; and in June, heir-head Nicole Richie confessed to Letterman she feared a jail sentence for a DUI charge. Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, co-produced Everybody Loves Raymond, now reaping millions in syndication.