James Van Der Beek’s Best Joke Was Himself

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Despite its dramatic storylines, Dawson’s Creek genuinely explored the challenges of being a teenager, and James Van Der Beek perfectly captured that spirit. As Dawson Leery, the ambitious young filmmaker, Van Der Beek was sincere and confident, seeming older than his age. He appeared to have gained wisdom and life experience through his love of movies and was eager to embrace both love and responsibility. While the show’s popularity stemmed from typical teen drama elements – romance, parties, and scandalous relationships – Van Der Beek remained the show’s grounded center. His signature red flannel shirt echoed the iconic look of James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, representing the universal desire of American teenagers to be understood.

Fame can sometimes limit an actor, forcing them into roles they can’t escape. But James Van Der Beek, who recently passed away at 48, wasn’t that type of performer. He was incredibly popular for a short time in the late 90s and early 2000s – known for Dawson’s Creek, the football film Varsity Blues, and The Rules of Attraction. After that, he often played variations of himself, and he was surprisingly willing to make fun of his own public image, something many actors avoid. Van Der Beek didn’t seem to worry about maintaining a carefully crafted persona. He openly acknowledged how huge Dawson’s Creek became and didn’t mind poking fun at its overwhelming presence in pop culture, even if it meant playfully diminishing his own image.

Van Der Beek acted in many other projects, across genres, over the years (an egotistical movie director in One Tree Hill,voice-acting as a malevolent aide to President George W. Bush in Robot Chicken, a scumbag working for the Trump Organization in Pose), but there was a glimmer of roguish glee in his eyes when he played himself. The game-for-anything, shruggingly-casual Van Der Beek persona that appeared in Scary Movie, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and The Eric André Show felt like Van Der Beek knowing what we wanted, giving it to us, and making sure that we knew that he knew who we wanted him to be. The gloriously anarchic, breakneck comedy Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 built on that image, and alongside Dawson’s Creek, it’s Van Der Beek’s best work because of how well it captured one of his most charming qualities: His ability to make himself the butt of a joke without disparaging the show that made him a star.

Nahnatchka Khan’s short-lived series, similar in style to a Tina Fey show but with its own sharp humor, stars Paul Van Der Beek as the grounded best friend to Krysten Ritter’s character, Chloe, the ‘bitch’ of Apartment 23. Ritter perfectly embodies Chloe, a con artist, while Van Der Beek plays her ex-boyfriend who remains a constant presence in her life. Like characters from 30 Rock, he often launches into rambling stories about the absurdity of Hollywood. This desire for fame and recognition is especially clear in the season one episode “Making Rent…,” where he starts his own jeans company, Beek Jeans. Inspired by his successful appearance on Dancing with the Stars (something he actually did in 2019, years before his colorectal cancer diagnosis), the character decides to capitalize on his newfound visibility with a men’s fashion line.

The jeans are ridiculously tight, with “BJ” embroidered on the pockets, but Van Der Beek somehow pulls them off. A scene where he reveals them to Chloe and his assistant is a great example of his ability to poke fun at himself. He dramatically whips off a towel, strikes a playful pose, and confidently announces, “I got something exciting to show you,” before playfully slapping his own rear. He delivers the silly slogan “Put your cheeks in a Beek” with a completely straight face, perfectly balancing humor and seriousness – a skill he excelled at. He sternly tells a shocked Chloe, “If you want your ass to rock, your plums gotta pay the price.” Later, he’s furious to learn a billboard for his jeans is right next to one for an Italian restaurant, placing the word “Meatballs!” and a chef’s image uncomfortably close to his crotch. Van Der Beek always knew how much self-awareness to bring to his over-the-top behavior, and the show never felt cruel in its portrayal of him. The series highlights the absurdity of chasing fame while also acknowledging how much easier being a celebrity can be. Van Der Beek’s character always bounced back from setbacks, somehow ending up even more successful than before. The “Meatballs!” mishap, combined with a suggestive visual joke aligning with the jeans’ initials, unexpectedly appealed to the queer community, hipsters, and the Japanese, turning Beek Jeans into a surprising success. It seems everyone is enjoying the ride.

The TV show Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 was designed for millennial audiences and frequently referenced actor Paul Van Der Beek’s career for comedic effect. The very first episode featured a fan requesting Van Der Beek recreate iconic moments from his roles – first, by wearing his flannel shirt from Dawson’s Creek, then appearing in a bikini reminiscent of Varsity Blues. The main character, Chloe, even displays a framed photo of Van Der Beek when interviewing potential roommates. While Chloe uses her connection to “James Van Der Beek” to scam people, the show isn’t making fun of his fans. It understands that viewers connect with Van Der Beek because of his role as Dawson, a character who resonated with their own teenage experiences of anxiety, hope, and uncertainty. Chloe might exploit fans for her own gain, but the show respects their affection for the actor. Van Der Beek perfectly portrayed a grateful, genuine, and slightly awkward version of himself, allowing him to move beyond the Dawson character while still embodying the qualities fans loved.

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2026-02-12 02:56