JAMES VAN DER Beek first hit our screens almost 20 years ago as the titular character in the smash hit Dawson’s Creek. Who could forget his sobbing face?
He’s worked pretty steadily since the show ended in 2003, starring in Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 and CSI Cyber – and he’s a great sport about his teen idol days.
The folks at ITV’s This Morning decided to take a very nostalgic tack when having him on for an interview yesterday… and it didn’t go over too well.
It started when Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield welcomed Van Der Beek by er… listing off his former co-stars’ flashy achievements:
Katie Holmes is a leading Hollywood actress… Michelle Williams received four Oscar nominations since leaving Dawson’s Creek. Joshua Jackson plays the jilted husband in the Golden Globe-winning drama The Affair.
But what happened to the man himself, James Van Der Beek? Well, he’s here now and that’s what he looks like!
“I have been on television in the last 20 years, just want to let you know,” said a slightly incredulous Van Der Beek.
He gamely answered a few questions about the 90s show, but when the hosts asked him if he’d prefer to “let Dawson’s Creek go”, he said:
No! It’s just… they were playing the music backstage, and it’s like… What year is it?
In less capable hands than Phil and Holly’s, this could have been a total disaster. But it ended up just being toe-curlingly awkward. Well done, pals.
