Weird, I never noticed still frames for establishing shots until the late 80's. Older shows tended to have several stock shots, so you could have lights going on and off, or extras walking past. Or show the weather.
It was probably easier to do with a facade on the backlot than a real house.
Tying into Padme's line about freedom dying to thunderous applause, Palpatine's speech could be accompanied by studio audience applause from any old sitcom. The more fakey and "canned" the better.