2013 TV upfronts: James Van Der Beek returns in new CBS comedy

The Beek is back -- and he’s not himself.

James Van Der Beek, who was last seen in ABC’s now-canceled “Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23” playing an actor named James Van Der Beek, is coming back to prime time.

The former “Dawson’s Creek” star will lead an ensemble in “Friends With Better Lives,” about a group of thirtysomething friends who each think the others have it better. CBS has picked up the show for the upcoming season

The multi-cam comedy is from Dana Klein, who was a writer and producer on “Friends,” and Aaron Kaplan, an executive producer of ABC’s “The Neighbors.”

Other stars include Brooklyn Decker, Rick Donald, Kevin Connolly, Zoe Lister Jones and Majandra Delfino.

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