When a "Thank You" is Not Enough

I was watching this local popular noon time show where contestants are asked to perform a short presentation of their talents.
The host would always say that the whole world is watching.
This is somewhat true, since the program is shown on a delayed basis in other parts of the world where the TV station has a presence.
The last contestant performed very well.
I would say that she'd be first place if it were a dance contest.
This wasn't however.
On a typical day, the host would give a certain amount, not actually as a prize but as a token perhaps.
But on this particular day, the audience was so impressed that they asked for an encore from her and her partner.
The host too, was apparently impressed that he gave the contestant four times the usual amount.
Just thanking her wouldn't have been enough for the host. Or so it seemed.
The host just had to give something more than mere words, albeit quite sincere for all the world to see.
But come to think of it, now everything has to have a monetary equivalent.
Every act however heroic it appears to be, have to be acknowledged by giving the doer some financial reward or anything tangible and valuable.
Where a sincere thanks would do, now you have to give an equivalent amount of money.
This isn't good.