COMIC-CON TV PREVIEW: What To Watch For – July 14-15

If the first three days of Comic-Con look to be a whirlwind of previews and panels, the last two days don’t slow down at all. There’s more exclusive sneak peeks, blood-sucking star-crossed lovers, the new show from JJ Abrams and Jon Favreau, Showtime’s family of drunks, a double shot of Seth MacFarlane, a high school singing club, outlaw bikers, Bart Simpson, a Time Lord and Kevin Smith. Like the first few days, some stuff will likely change and unexpected stuff will emerge, but Deadline has the breaking small-screen news covered. Here’s what to look out for at the convention on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, July 14
11-11:45 AM — Once Upon A Time
Reality and myth mix on the ABC series, so let’s see if they do at Comic-Con. Executive producers and co-creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz are joined by the breakout drama’s cast members Ginnifer Goodwin, Emilie de Ravin Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Meghan Ory and Josh Dallas to discuss their upcoming second season. Ballroom 20

12:45-1:30 PM — The Simpsons
Matt Groening will be there; executive producer Al Jean, the man who tried to unite animators to fight for their Emmy rights, will be there; supervising producer Mike Anderson too; and Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson. They will discuss the show’s 23 seasons, and the Season 24 “Treehouse Of Horror” episode. There’ll also be a discussion and 2D look at The Longest Daycare, the upcoming Simpsons theatrical short showing in front of Ice Age: Continental Drift once it opens July 13. That’s a lot to pack into 45 minutes. Ballroom 20

1:45-2:30 PM — Family Guy
Seth MacFarlane is completely in his element here: the fans love him and he loves them right back, always putting on a show and making waves. Fresh off the success of his feature directorial debut Ted, expect Seth to turn up the volume. Add Mila Kunis and Seth Green, plus Alex Bornstein, Mike Henry and showrunners Mark Hentemann and Steve Callaghan — as well as a preview of scenes from Family Guy’s upcoming season — and you’ve got an animation supergroup. Ballroom 20

4-5 PM — Shameless
At first glance, Showtime’s down, drunk and out Gallagher clan might not seem Comic-Con material. But this is a return visit, so they must be fitting in. William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, Justin Chatwin and Jeremy Allen White will talk about the two seasons as well as show the series’ favorite fan moments. Which means, bottoms up. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

4-5 PM — The Following
First will be a screening of the pilot episode of this new Fox midseason show. Then creator and executive producer Kevin Williamson and executive producer Marcos Siega and stars Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy will come out and talk about the upcoming crime thriller. Room 6BCF

4:30-5:15 PM — True Blood
The HBO vampire series has been a Comic-Con favorite since its first appearance in 2008. This year marks the fifth consecutive panel for the recently renewed show and the bloom hasn’t gone off. With Season 5 starting last month and a sixth season announced last week, creator Alan Ball is turning over the writing and showrunning of True Blood to promoted producer Mark Hudis. Hopefully Ball will talk about the shift and plans for the future during the panel. Ball will be joined by cast members Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer (who is coming from filming on the set of Devil’s Knot), Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Nelsan Ellis, Deborah Ann Woll, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Chris Meloni and Joe Manganiello. Ballroom 20

5-6 PM — Glee
Creator Ryan Murphy won’t be there this year — neither will Jane Lynch. Still, McKinley High will still be well repped by series co-creator and executive producer Brad Falchuk and cast members Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Naya Rivera, Jenna Ushkowitz and Kevin McHale. They’ll be talking about the past season but tidbits of the next season could sneak out, even if it is in song. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

6-7 PM — Revolution
There’ll be a screening of the post-apocalyptic NBC pilot from Eric Kripke, JJ Abrams and Jon Favreau. A panel follows with Kripke and cast members Billy Burke, Giancarlo Esposito and Tracy Spiridakos. JJ and Jon aren’t expected to show, but you never know with Favreau and Comic-Con. Room 6BCF

7:15-9:15 PM –- Kevin Smith
It’s Comic-Con, so of course Kevin Smith is there once again, even more so now that he has Comic Book Men on AMC. The writer and director will, as in previous years, answer all questions for as long as he can. Hall H

Sunday, July 15

10-11 AM — Fringe
They’ve been to Comic-Con before, but Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv, other cast members and executive producer JH Wyman are back this year for one last time. They’ll be showing previews of Fringe’s final fifth season which is scheduled to debut September 28. They’ll also be talking about how the multi-universe show will reach its conclusions and if there is more Fringe to be had. Hall H

12:30-1:30 PM — Doctor Who
BBC America is bringing the Time Lord himself back again to Comic-Con, as well as co-stars Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill and executive producers Steven Moffat and Caroline Skinner. Matt Smith and gang won’t need to use a sonic screwdriver to get out of this jam. As well as a panel, they’ll be showing new footage from the upcoming season. BBC America will also preview its new Supernatural Saturday slot with showings of specials The Science of Doctor Who, The Women of Doctor Who, The Timey-Wimey Stuff of Doctor Who, and The Destinations Of Doctor Who. Hall H

1:45–2:45 PM — The Cleveland Show
One of the nice things about being MacFarlane is you can pull together some of hip-hop’s biggest acts to join you for the Season 4 premiere of your show that isn’t Family Guy. There will be a screening of The Cleveland Show’s season opener Menace II Secret Society, which features Kanye West, the Black Eyed Peas will.i.am., Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, and The Roots’ QuestLove. A Q&A with MacFarlane, Mike Henry, Kevin Michael Richardson, Reagan Gomez, and Rich Appel will follow. Hall H

2:45–3:45 PM — Sons Of Anarchy
By Sunday, most of the Hollywood folk have gone home, but with the eminently quotable and pugilistic Kurt Sutter taking the stage, that’s their loss. Even more so if he’s previewing footage from the biker series’ upcoming fifth season. The showrunner will be joined by cast members Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal, Charlie Hunnam, Maggie Siff, Kim Coates, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan, Theo Rossi, Dayton Callie and Ryan Hurst to talk cold metal and the FX series’ next season. Hall H