Zach Braff’ Ends ‘Wish I Was Here’ … 
Fox President Of Alternative Programming Mike Darnell To … 
FIRST BOX OFFICE: ‘Fast & Furious 6′ Easy … 
NBC Sets Oklahoma Tornado Benefit Concert For May 29 
Cannes: Directors’ Fortnight Honors ‘Les … 
SHOCKER: Tom Cruise Exits ‘Man From … 
A+E Rebuild: BBC’s Jana Bennett To Run Bio And LMN … 
RATINGS RAT RACE: ‘Hannibal’ Hits Low, … 
‘Katie’ Shakeup: Rachel Miskowiec Replaces … 
Hammond On Cannes: French Hero Jerry Lewis On His Return To … 
Cannes: Another Jewelry Heist? $2.6M Necklace Missing After … 
Hammond On Cannes: Leo DiCaprio’s Moon Trip Tops … 
Specialty B.O. Preview: ‘Before Midnight’, … 
2012-2013 Season Network Rankings: CBS Sweeps In Final … 
Full 2012-2013 TV Season Series Rankings 
TOLDJA! Paramount Pocketing $190M From Disney For Marvel … 
‘Good Morning America’ Hits 19-Year Viewership … 
MGM Buys ‘Modern Family’ Producer Ben … 
‘Fashion Police’ Writers Chant On Picket Lines: … 
Universal Makes Seven-Figure Deal For ‘The School For … 
Steven Soderbergh Will Interrupt Retirement To Direct And … 
Don’t Trust The B— In Apt. 23 co-star James Van Der Beek has been tapped as a lead in Dana Klein’s CBS comedy pilot Friends With Better Lives, which is directed by James Burrows. The multi-camera project, from 20th Century Fox TV and Kaplan Entertainment, revolves around six 30-something friends who each think the other has it better. Van Der Beek, repped by Paradigm and Brillstein Entertainment, will play one of them, Will, a sarcastic gynecologist who expects the absolute worst from everyone after his (soon-to-be) ex-wife’s infidelity.
Apt. 23 was Van Der Beek’s first major comedy series gig that followed his viral FunnyOrDie videos. He liked the experience and liked working with Apt. 23 producer 20th TV, which led to him signing on for another half-hour project with the studio. The Dawson’s Creek alum currently stars in the Geffen Playhouse’s production of The Gift and will next be seen in the Jason Reitman feature Labor Day. Van Der Beek is the second Apt. 23 cast member to book a pilot. Star Krysten Ritter toplines the NBC comedy Assistance.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
Loading ...
“The Gift” is just about the worst play I’ve ever, ever seen, but man, it was great watching four talented actors trying to make something out of it, including Van Der Beek. That said – and I’m NOT HER REP, HAVEN’T MET HER, BENEFIT NOT AT ALL BY SAYING SOMETHING NICE ABOUT HER WORK – Jaime Newman was really awesome in the play as well.
The Beek!!! Love this guy. Heard they showed his own screen test on his own forehead. I am surprised he took this roll over the part of
Stan Spreads in the LOGJAMMERS pilot.
Worst script of the year. Surprised a high profile guy like James would choose it.
You’re tripping. The show has great characters and tons of room to grow.
Mindy Kaling (“Mindy Project”) and Justin Bartha (“New Normal”) both play OB/GYNs. I understand why it’s an inherently hilarious occupation (we get to say vagina! hyuk hyuk!), but maybe sitcom writers could move onto another laugh-a-minute practice, like proctology.
LOVED James in Apt. 23 and hope his comedic talent and good looks are put to good use on CBS.
He was brilliant in Rules of Attraction, on Apt. 23 and as a guest on Criminal Minds. I’m really looking forward to the Reitman movie. I don’t think we’ve begun to see what this guy has to offer. I hope that this show works out well for him.