I guess I just do not think it is possible to separate the drama from the music. I think it is, like they say, so intertwined when they get on stage that it just comes out and they cannot stop it even if they wanted to stop it, which they apparently do not.
Also, I agree the interviewers ask the same questions over and over again, which is arrgravating to us; we read every single interview
But, the reporters must know they have to ask the questions that will sell the magazine, help sell ads for the magazine, etc. So, these interviewers, like LB and SN, recognize the power (financial and perhaps otherwise) of the on going LB/SN head trip drama. The only conclusion I can draw from this is people must still care about it if it is that big of a financial draw/boon.
Also, I went to four concerts and LB's PBS Soundstage taping. My seats ranged from the the front row to the handicap section to the first risers flanking the stage - so, I got what I think was a pretty good cross section of die-hard fans like us to "my sister gave me tickets to see these fossils on stage"
Almost all of the latter were like "Do they date or something?" The in betweens were like, "I thought they broke up" or "Isn't he married now to someone else?" My point is those people probably make up the majority of the concert going public and they were interested and applauded every time LB and SN went into their routine. As long as there is that actual interest, you can bet reporters will ask about it and LN and SN will play it up (real or not) because it is what the vast majority of the concert going public want to see.