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I think (IAsoNAL) it depends on who the famous people are and what their role in the story is.
For example, if a character goes to a famous singer's concert, or spots a famous actor in a Hollywood restaurant, they're basically being used as part of the scenery, and I can't see that being an issue. If they ask the character out on a date, that could be a problem; I wouldn't risk it. If the date turns into a kinky sex scene, that's probably going to catch you a lawsuit.
Basically, as long as they're not an active part of the story -- either an "extra", as it were, or doing something that's a part of their normal routine, such as a singer performing, an actor signing autographs, a politician shaking hands with voters, etc. -- you're really just using them as background material. Once you start having them express opinions that might differ from their own, do things that they might not do, etc., then you're walking into a legal minefield.
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