It looks like Dawson has a funny bone after all.

Deadline.com reported yesterday that James Van Der Beek has signed on to play…James Van Der Beek in the prospective ABC comedy Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apt. 23. Recently picked up to pilot, Apt. 23 tells the story of Midwestern girl June who moves in with wild party girl Chloe. Van Der Beek will play Chloe’s best friend and this would be his first TV role since a 10 episode stint on Mercy just last year.

I personally love this. Even if you disregard Van Der Beek’s Funny or Die videos last year that parodied the “Crying Dawson” internet meme (google them if you haven't; it's worth it and then some), it’s such a left field choice that could turn out to be something pretty special and delightfully absurd. It makes me think highly of Van Der Beek that he’s willing to be a little silly and play a different version of himself because too often you hear about celebrities with blimp sized egos and zero sense of humor. It’s nice to see somebody who doesn’t take himself too seriously and seems to be naturally funny.

I just hope that this little piece of meta will translate into more success for the show, should it get picked up. Matt LeBlanc’s Episodes hasn’t been setting the world on fire with its ratings (despite it being a high quality spoof) and the Harold & Kumar movies that gave Neil Patrick Harris's mainstream career a necessary shot in the arm were only modestly successful at the box office (despite being amazing, in my opinion).

Just when you get a little jaded at the same names being cycled over and over again, you get a little nugget of news that’s just too cool. Thanks, Hollywood.

What do you think about this casting? Do you think you’ll be able to see James as someone other than Dawson? Assuming the show gets picked up, will you watch?