Why does everything get a standing ovation now?

This episode of Throughline traces the history and evolution of the standing ovation, from Shakespeare's epilogues to Broadway divas and the ultra-long ovations at film festivals. Guests Roger Gilbert and Kyle Buchanan explore how this once-rare honor has become an almost mandatory ritual at live performances. The discussion examines the social and cultural forces behind 'standing ovation inflation' and what it reveals about our relationship with public praise.