Why Are We Fascinated by Celeb Affairs?

What is it about fame and cheating that peaks our curiosity?

Splashed across the tabloids is yet another woman rumored to have had an affair with Tiger Woods. Of course, Tiger's not the first celebrity marriage in the spotlight. CBS News correspondent Emily Smith looked into this highly publicized trend.

Fellow sports star Kobe Bryant felt the heat in the court of public scrutiny when he admitted cheating on his wife.

"I'm disgusted; I'm disappointed with myself for making a mistake of adultery," the NBA star said.

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David Letterman came clean on "The Late Show."

"The creepy stuff was that I have had sex with women who work for me on this show," Letterman admitted. "I apologize to my wife, Jenny. I've acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family," he added.

From Mark Sanford to Eliot Spitzer - "I've acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family," said Spitzer, New York's former governor.

Powerful politicians begged for the forgiveness of their first ladies.

"I must put it right and I am prepared to do whatever it takes to do so," said former President Bill Clinton.

Even Hollywood has mirrored the drama on the small screen in "The Good Wife."

He said - She said Panel:

Relationship experts Matt Titus and psychologist Linda Papadopoulos sat down with Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith and Early Show correspondent and resident veterinarian, Debbye Turner Bell to discuss why we are intrigued by the rich and famous ones who cheat.

"Surveys will show that men by and large do cheat. Women, a little less so. But is there something about being rich and powerful that gives you greater license to do what a lot of men do anyway?" Smith asked.

"It's the gluttony of celebrity. Tiger Woods not only cheated on his wife, but he cheated on his public. This is another example of how a squeaky clean public image can be manufactured through 30-second sound bites. We don't know how he is personally. And how can a man that has everything, a beautiful wife, athleticism beyond belief and a fortune want anything more?" Titus said.

Does Tiger Woods owe the public some kind of other behavior?

"That's the problem. Why do we hold them up to be moral beacons?" Papadopoulos asked. "He hits a ball with a club. I have a real issue with that. He's a sportsman. That's what he is. He's not a politician, which arguably should be a moral beacon. He's not holding public office.

"And I think there's a real issue in this society that we tell our young people look up to these guys because they're the ones we should aspire to be, yes, in terms of hitting the ball. But why everything else?" she added.

Celebrities, politicians and athletes often get caught by the stupidest of behavior, which make us wonder - do they think they can get away with it?

"They want these women to need them, want them, fall in love with them and they don't just sleep with them and leave them because they are egomaniacs," Titus said.

According to Papadopoulos, narcissism, a sense of entitlement and control are at the core of celebrity affairs.

"For men in general, why get married?" Bell asked.

"Because he wants $1 billion in endorsements, you want to be looked upon a certain way, you need a family, great moral standing, charity work, everything," Titus explained.

Oftentimes, a confession to an affair stems from trouble with the law, like in Bryant's case, Smith pointed out.

But in Woods' situation, he had a fender bender in his front yard. So does he really owe anybody an explanation?

"Celebrities are public domain. And they have to...everybody wants to know about them," Titus said.