“They clapped like trained seals.”
That’s probably because the studio is equipped with an electric sign that goes on that says “Applause!”
That’s right. When I was young I was a frequent audience member of talk shows all the way back to Joan Rivers’ morning show at 10am in NYC. That applause sign is not only on at certain points, there is a guy or gal silently whipping up the crowd. Even as a 16 year old, I thought it was annoying.