Virtually there: How do they get those audiences in TV shows?

Those producers even deal with last-minute problems. “We’ve had the power go out. We’ve had a cat knock over a phone. We even had a woman with noise in the background and it turned out it was her pet ostrich,” Thaler says. “You can’t make this stuff up.”

In the past, shows sent crews to far-flung locations and, often, it took more than a day to accomplish. The trek was expensive. Now, with companies like VCC, it’s possible to scout, light and frame at a fraction of the cost.

“When we started this, the quality of everybody’s phone wasn’t nearly what it is now,” Thaler says.

That shift – and the ability to reduce the lag during a conversation – has made virtual chatting a reality.

Clarkson, who thrives on interaction, was an early adapter and continues now, even though she has guests in studio. For something like the spotlight singer segment, it’s crucial.

Others, like Tamron Hall and Phil McGraw, often use them to give their shows less of a one-on-one interview atmosphere.

Recent award shows have had mixed success. Daniel Kaluuya, for example, was muted when he tried to accept his Golden Globe award. The problem, Thaler says, is some production companies are afraid to do business a little differently. “They get very conservative with what they want. You can choose between having 100 people all up at the same time or have five at a time who look really, really good.”