This has happened twice recently.

First time - first was booked full but a passenger didn't show. On other flights when this has happened they moved someone up, there were plenty on the upgrade list. Instead the flight attendant sat in 1A and made the announcements, etc from that seat. The normal front FA seat was operable so I was pretty surprised. I thought they sat in that seat facing the passengers to keep an eye on things during taxi, takeoff, and landing. There was at least one CK on this flight that was sitting in coach and didn't get to move.

Second time - this time it showed one seat as available in first but they didn't move anyone off the upgrade list before boarding like they usually would and then didn't make any adjustments before or after the boarding door closed. This was seat 2D.

Has anyone seen this before or have ideas of what might be going on?