NBC party at TCA draws Andrew Rannells, Justin Bartha, Nick Lachey and Sarah Palin? You betcha!

It was a very full day at the TV Critics Association Summer Press Tour Tuesday as NBC previewed some of its new falls shows and introduced us to cast members and other participants.

After a day of panels for such shows as The New Normal, Chicago Fire, Guys With Kids, Revolution, Animal Practice, Ready for Love and Stars Earn Stripes, the network hosted a cocktail party down by the pool of the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

I grabbed some sushi then began to schmooze and cruise for news.

Saw a group of people next near a table of desserts and saw one of them was Todd Palin, one of the participants in Stars Earn Stripes. He would be one of the “stars” it appears. Then I noticed standing next to him was a woman who looked kind of familiar – it was Tina Fey!

Okay, it was Sarah Palin.

I snapped a few pics and thought it was ironic that she was cheerfully answering some questions from reporters who are part of the “lamestream media.”

The Wrap reports that Palin was asked whether the shooting in Colorado should affect gun policy. She said: “The bad guys, the criminals, don’t follow laws and restricting more of America’s freedoms when it comes to self-defense isn’t the answer. Not when you consider what the reality is. Bad guys don’t follow laws.”

Anyway, my main goal was to get in a word or two with Andrew Rannells from The New Normal but he and co-star Justin Bartha were locked into a series of pre-arranged one-on-ones with various folks (I snapped a photo of them chatting with my friend Jim Halterman of AfterElton.com).

Of course, I had to snap a photo of gorgeous Nick Lachey who as he enjoyed a beer with Tom Stroup. Both are a part of Stars Earn Stripes.