Does Lori Loughlin Think She's Facing Prison Time or Filming a Movie?

So, listen: It's probably uncomfortable to be facing possible prison time. And it might make it even more awkward to be publicly facing down that possibility when you're best known for playing "Aunt Becky" on what's surely one of America's most wholesome family sitcoms. There's not a book on how to act when fans show up at your hearing seeking autographs. And yet, does Lori Loughlin's behavior amid her hearing for the college admissions scandal seem a little... off? 

Felicity Huffman, who's also implicated in the scandal, showed up to her hearing with a grim expression and ignored questions from the throngs of assembled reporters. By contrast, Loughlin was all smiles as she autographed photos of herself that fans (plants? there are theories!) had actually brought.

She also answered a reporter's question of "how are you?" with an enthused: "I'm great!" Then she patted the reporter on the arm. And once inside the courthouse, the Fuller House actress was even caught schmoozing with the opposing team. Loughlin knows this trial isn't made for TV, right? 

A source who spoke to E! News had a possible explanation for this seemingly odd behavior. "She was obviously extremely nervous and the actress side of Lori came out. She doesn't know how else to be in public ... Her natural reaction was to just smile and try to be light-hearted. She's always been so well loved and charming, that's the part she knows how to play in public."

Behind closed doors, though, the source said it's another story. Lori "is terrified and the uncertainty of the whole thing worries her."