In a manner of speaking, they have been doing something similar to what you are referring to in your first question, but reversed.
Rather than zooming out from one audience member to a full shot of the audience prior to the first call-down, they start with a full shot of the audience and boom down the jib to a couple of people in the front row, stage left. It's usually timed to when George says "The Price is Right" just before the first name is called.