Katie Holmes and 'Dawson' Don't Speak (Much) These Days

Does Tom Cruise allow better half Katie Holmes to speak to her old friends? Well, James Van Der Beek, known as Dawson Leery from Dawson's Creek, admitted the two former pals aren't in touch much anymore.

"It's like somebody you went to high school with. As the years go on, it gets longer and longer but you always have that shared experience," he said this week to a reporter.

Van Der Beek was part of a Television Critics Association panel, when a journalist asked if the actor is "allowed" contact with his former co-star. The clever question elicited laughter from the audience, but Van Der Beek handled the touchy topic expertly.

He shrugged, and admitted there is some distance between the two. Isn't this sad? Didn't you hope these guys, as well as "Pacey," would be friends for all time?

Well, either way, the four stars of Dawson's Creek, including Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams, have all enjoyed strong careers. Maybe, Cruise will allow Holmes to leave the spaceship one day, and there could be a reunion of the cast.

Van Der Beek is married to Kimberly Brook, and was promoting his new show during the TCA event. Holmes, meanwhile, was spotted Thursday on a Starbucks run in New York City.