Jesse Tyler Ferguson made a confession on Instagram today, I am still trying to absorb it all in. The actor posted the above photo with James Van Der Beek and revealed that, “One of these guys auditioned for the role of ‘Dawson’ on Dawson’s Creek and did NOT get the part. The other one is very handsome & very fun as ‘Beau’ in tonight’s new episode of Modern Family [on ABC at 9p]. Both of these guys are fake laughing in the second picture. #Acting.”

Now I ask you to imagine Ferguson as Dawson and think if he would still care about the teen drama as much? I just can’t imagine anyone else doing that ugly cry like Beek. Can you?