Invited to a barbecue with the Braverman family from NBC's "Parenthood," I expected the veggie burgers, the chicken breasts, the salad and maybe even the corn on the cob. What I didn't expect was Monica Potter, who plays Kristina Braverman, to be fetching drinks, handing out napkins and asking if anyone needed anything.

Actually, during a set visit to "Parenthood," we'd already stumbled upon Potter and her TV husband, Peter Krause, who plays Adam Braverman, in the kitchen of their Napa Valley home. Asked if she wished she really were from Northern California, the famously nice Potter said: "No, I'm glad to be from Cleveland." "And I'm glad to be from Minnesota," Krause chimed in.

Moving on, lured by lemonade, we encountered Craig T. Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia on their sun porch.  (Don't ask how the Braverman homes are configured. One family's bathroom might be next to another's kitchen, and some rooms in the same "house" are so widely separated, they require a bus ride.) Bedelia pointed out that she and Nelson (who play the senior Bravermans) are actually married for the third time. (First was the TV movie "Alex: The Life of a Child," and then came the TV movie "The Fire Next Time.") By this time, they behave a little like a married couple -- he says things and she corrects him.

Finally came a formal Q&A session including 16 cast members, with only Mae Whitman missing. (She's in the "Scott Pilgrim" movie and was attending the premiere.) Executive producer Jason Katims announced that Billy Baldwin is joining the cast in a recurring role as Adam's boss at the shoe company; he's also reportedly a love interest for Sarah (Lauren Graham). Another cast addition: Minka Kelly of Katims' "Friday Night Lights" will return as therapist Gaby.

Most of the cast members hung around for the barbecue, a casual meal that preceded a trip to Universal Studios to try out the new King Kong ride. But nobody except Potter helped to serve and clean up.