Special Events
Dawson’s Creek: A Look Back
Attending the special presentation “Dawson’s Creek: A Look Back” at the Paley Center on November 4, 2009 was a momentous occasion. It was not only to mark the release date of the collector’s set of the entire six seasons on DVD
Meredith Monroe, Kevin Williamson & James Van Der Beek at the Dawson's Creek Paley event / photo by Tiffany
In attendance for this special evening at the Paley Center were: James Van Der Beek (who played Dawson Leery), Meredith Monroe (who played Andie McPhee), Busy Philipps (who played Audrey Liddell), Kevin Williamson (creator and producer), and Paul Stupin (producer). Also making a surprise visit was Monica Keena (who played Abby Morgan).
To commemorate the DVD release, Marc Rashba, Sony Home Entertainment Vice President of Marketing, welcomed the audience and stated how glad he was that they were finally able to get all six seasons cleared for a box set release
Then, after a quick introduction by the evening’s moderator, Will Keck of TV Guide, everyone was treated to a special screening of the pilot episode of Dawson’s Creek. It was the episode that started it all and launched the careers of several talented young actors: James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps.
Later during the Q&A, when asked about how difficult it was to find an actor to play the lead character Dawson, Kevin Williamson and Paul Stupin admitted that it had been a grueling process and that Dawson ended up being the very last part cast. In fact, it was two days before filming was supposed to start when they finally selected James Van Der Beek. It was a close call, but as the subsequent six seasons proved, it was worth waiting for the right actor to bring the show to life – particularly as Dawson’s Creek was credited with putting the WB network on the television map, similar as to what The Vampire Diaries is currently doing for the CW. (Though Kevin downplayed his role in creating both shows and the success they have brought to each network.)
Additionally, when asked how different it is now than it was in the late 1990’s creating a television show, Kevin remarked that the television landscape is much more fragmented and caters to niche audiences. Additionally, while Dawson’s Creek was considered scandalous at the time, in hindsight it now appears too innocent. It was really a show about romance, the sweaty palms and weak knees of teenage love. Kevin conceded that some of the dialogue he was able to get away with back then would never be permitted on today’s current television shows — such as the phrase “man meat” would be entirely too racy and taboo for today’s censors.
As for why there were so few parental figures on the show and those that were tended to be killed off, Kevin explained that it was due to budgetary constraints. They just did not have that kind of money for Dawson’s Creek and those tight constraints forced them to make tough choices. Busy was quick to chime-in “Death by Ice Cream Cone!” in reference to Dawson’s dad who was killed while eating an ice cream cone. James mentioned that when he first learned that his character’s father was going to be killed, his concern was (1) “Wow, what’s that going to do to this kid?” and (2) that he would never see John Wesley Shipp again, for once an actor was killed on the show that tended to be the last you saw of them because the show filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Also commenting on the various quick disappearances of characters from the show, Meredith noted that her character was shipped off to an institution, Busy’s character went to rehab, and even Monica’s character was drowned – thus Dawson’s Creek was a harsh show to be a recurring character on as one just never knew how long one would be sticking around. Despite their tenuous existence on the show, Busy, Meredith and Monica admitted that they were welcomed with open arms and had a wonderful time working on the show.
Recalling some of the things that stuck out in her mind during her time on the show, Busy shared that during one of her plane rides out to Wilmington she happened to be sitting next to both Linda Hamilton and Chad Michael Murray. While Linda was sweet, Busy was horrified to find herself associated with Chad as she did not like him at the time. On a positive note, she said that she had been very fortunate as the producers had wanted her for the show for a number of years and thus, when it actually came to be, the casting process was expedited for her. Thus, when she first arrived on the show, Katie was the first one to welcome her and greet her like an old friend. When asked if she remembered Katie ever talking about her future husband, Tom Cruise, at that time, Busy said she kind of did remember Katie talking about him like having a school girl crush and that Katie thought he was “the bee’s knees.”
Busy Phillipps & Meredith Monroe at the Dawson's Creek Paley event / photo by Tiffany
As for Meredith Monroe, when asked to recall one of her favorite moments working on the show, she said that one of her favorite episodes was the slumber party episode (aka “The Breakfast Club” episode) and having the chance to work with Jason Behr. She also fondly recalled she had specifically requested from the wardrobe department a superhero costume that she wanted to wear because she thought they should just lighten up and have some fun. She was thereafter “Captain Fun” with a cape and rubber boots! She even once tried to pitch an episode where “we’re having fun!” but Paul Stupin had merely smiled at the time and said, “No. But I like your enthusiasm.”
When asked about Kerr Smith’s character, Jack McPhee, Kevin mentioned he wanted the audience to love the character first and then to the reveal the truth of whom he was so that the audience would still love him. Plus, it would be a good “oh, Joey’s free” kind of thing for Dawson. Thus, in his mind, it was the perfect way to make Joey available again — to have her boyfriend come out of the closet. That also became the turning point for the series as they then created the love triangle that would divide the fans for the rest of the series.
Kevin further revealed that, because he only worked on the 1st and 2nd seasons of Dawson’s Creek, he was grateful to be asked to return and write the series 2 hour finale. It was then that he had to decide who Joey would end up with once and for all. He admitted that he himself did not know when he began writing the finale. He just knew that he wanted it to be special. Also, the show was always supposed to be about a coming of age story with a twist and that convinced him that he needed to kill one of the characters off. For it had always been a story about life lessons and the last lesson for these characters was: what does one do when someone you care about and is part of your world dies? He wanted to see how the other characters would rally around and deal with grief – a truly heart-breaking grief.
Busy then shared that Michelle Williams had once told her something very insightful: Michelle’s character, Jen, had been the catalyst in the pilot for all these characters to change, so it was only fitting that in the end that Jen was the catalyst for all of them to move-on in their lives. Jen’s death was then to be the final catalyst for all of them. It was because of her death that they all ended up making the hard decisions that had to be made — and it was to be the final straw to find out who ended up with whom.
In the end, Kevin said he believes that Dawson and Joey did end up together because they are soul mates – and a soul mate does not necessarily mean a person’s romantic love. With soul mates, it is a love that will last forever and goes beyond all romantic love. He said, “Ultimately the way I see it, she did end up with Dawson. It was just a story of love and friendship.”
Kevin Williamson & James Van Der Beek at the Dawson's Creek Paley event / photo by Tiffany
James also chimed in that he thought it was the most truthful way to end the series and that they could not see any other way to end it. When asked if any of them want to re-visit their characters from Dawson’s Creek, Kevin firmly stated, “We’ve closed the door. Let it all be a memory. This is a very nostalgic coming of age story. Let it be nostalgic now and let us all think back like ‘Aw, I liked that show.’” Paul also added that in his mind the show always felt like it had a bittersweet quality, as though an older person was reflecting back on their life where everything was magnified to the extreme and with sophisticated dialogue. Thus, they had already gone back and revisited these characters.
As to the question, where would their characters be now? Meredith said Andie would be running an empire because she was so type-A and driven. Busy said that she feels like she is playing Audrey, just older, on Cougar Town. And James said Dawson probably went on to create a show about teenage vampires. And with that humorously appropriate comment, it was a fitting end for a nostalgic night.
It was with great fondness and smiles all around as everyone said goodnight. Dawson’s Creek will be embraced in our hearts and remembered forever.
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