Don’t Trust The B Apartment 23 tells the adventures of the self-centered, party-loving, popularity-obsessed, politically incorrect and proudly insensitive New Yorker Chloe (Krysten Ritter), and her new roommate June (Dreama Walker) from Indiana who despite her initial shock and repulsion, has gotten to like Chloe, and proven to be a worthy adversary/friend/roommate.
But Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 is more than just a severe clash of cultures/morals/personalities. It also makes fun of fame, celebrities, success, careers and life struggles in general- all without the annoying laughing tracks and the boundaries of a sitcom. Oh, and its biggest fame/celebrity-teasing tool comes in the form of its third starring actor – James Van Der Beek, playing the post-Dawson James Van Der Beek in the most amusing fashion.
For anyone who has been a teenager during late 90s and early 2000s (1998-2003), Dawson’s Creek was the familiar teenage drama/romance series starring Van Der Beek (as Dawson), Katie Holmes (best friend/the girl next door Joey), Joshua Jackson (best friend Pacey) and Michelle Williams (pretty new girl Jen). And even though the series was named after his character, he had the leading role, scored a huge fan base and having scored roles in movies before, during and after the series, Van Der Beek never got to be “Dawson” again, at least in terms of playing such a popular lead in a hit series, or being in a hit movie.
Joshua Jackson was somewhat suffering from a similar fate until he got one of the starring roles in the sci-fi/drama/mystery series Fringe and became Peter Bishop instead of Pacey for 5 years, and we will see which character will remain more popular or if Jackson will finally become an A-lister starring in more films. He has the talent, the looks and the girlfriend (Diane Kruger). But he has also suffered from the Dawson’s Creek curse.
Katie Holmes went from being in the shadow of Joey to being in the shadow of Tom Cruise. Oh, yes, she shared tons of spotlight and got more coverage than the entire Dawson’s Creek cast combined, but let’s face it-it was because she married Cruise. We’ll have to wait and see if she will prove herself to be more than Joey.
And last but definitely not the least- we have Michelle Williams-who got the luckiest break of all. She did so many diverse roles in so many diverse movies, she kept us in the present. The youngest Creek cast member starred in Brokeback Mountain alongside Heath Ledger, Jake Gyleenhall- and won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. We could never lose focus on her career since she went on to score 2 more Oscar nominations, leading roles alongside Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Ryan Gosling, Leonardo di Caprio, Kenneth Branagah and more.
But James’ career seems to be the most puzzling. He’s good-looking, has done many more different roles opposing to his romantic dreamer Dawson and never quite stopped working. But he couldn’t shake off Dawson. And what better way to poke fun at your career while reminding people of your popularity, show a whole new side of you while still starring in a new show?
Just like Matt LeBlanc, aka Joey from Friends mocked himself and his career by playing a womanizing, politically incorrect jackass-y version of himself in Episodes, won back the spotlight, popularity and reminded people that he can be more than just Joey, Van Der Beek is milking “Dawson”, once again- in a very successful way.
How does Dawson Leery aka James Van Der Beek fit in with the girls? He is Chloe’s best friend- a rich, popular and self-centered actor who is sick and tired of being remembered as Dawson despite his talent and other accomplishments. But he constantly fluctuates between self-pity/anger and feeling happy to be adored.
Sometimes Van Der Beek’s ego provides for some one-liners and sub-plots, sometimes it becomes the center with June and Chloe.
Granted, the show is more about Chloe, June and their relationship- but at least 50% of the jokes, and probably the fan base, wouldn’t have been there without “Dawson.”
I don’t know about you, but having been a movies-obsessed, romantic female teenager in 8th grade, I was a big fan of Dawson’s Creek-and Dawson was my favorite character- at least for the first 2 seasons. I hated the fact that the whole story became about friends rotating each other in dating and sex, and the once lovely teen drama/comedy/romance turned into a very obvious soap- but I stuck around like many people would when their relationship lost the passion but couldn’t shake the habit.
And despite all the boring romances, Dawson was still Dawson. He grew up, became a little less naïve and optimistic. But he was still a dreamer, a movie enthusiast who wanted to make in Hollywood and a romantic. And guess what? 9 years after the show ended, I grew a very cynical side, did some things I said I’d never do (like falling for a friend, or liking two guys who happened to be friends-life imitating art and all that) but I still am a romantic movie addict who’s trying to make it as a writer.
You see, Dawson was my favorite character – not because I thought he was boyfriend material (though he was), but because he was the character I identified with the most. And 9 years in life didn’t exactly go the way I planned-but despite growing up, I’m still me. Despite all the complaints, and having lived in a big city (as opposed to Dreama’s small town character June), I did watch all episodes of Dawson’s Creek.
I honestly didn’t think the concept could be funny before I knew who Chloe’s bff was. Then I saw the trailer.
It is always over the top with the quirks and pretty much impossible to identify with James or Chloe. But it is entertaining, with some episodes making you laugh more than the others.
You don’t have to have watched Dawson’s Creek to enjoy this one, but it is funnier if you have loved or hated (or both) the show with passion at some point in your lives.
Episodes to watch out for:
Season 1
Episode 1 – how Chloe proves to be a friend by proving June that her fiancé is a cheater- by being caught on the act with him to June!
Episode 2- Chloe sets June up with her hot “friend” Scott (Michael Landes) who turns out to be a little more familiar with Chloe than June thought. And no, Chloe and Scott never hooked up. When I say familiar, I mean…
Episode-4 Chloe gets jealous of June becoming BFFs with James, so she crashes June’s friend’s wedding with Kevin Sorbo (played by Kevin Sorbo)-who she has brought under completely false pretenses.
Season 2
Episode 1- Attempts at a Dawson’s Creek reunion.
Episode 2- And Chloe meets her match
