Sexiest Man Alive 2012

James Van Der Beek's on a Mission to Be Named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive

By Dahvi Shira

11/13/2012 at 11:35 AM EST

James Van Der Beek is sexy and he knows it – but does PEOPLE?

In anticipation of Wednesday's big Sexiest Man Alive reveal, Tuesday's Don't Trust the B–– in Apt. 23 (9:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC) features a very eager Van Der Beek vying for the coveted title.

During the episode, the actor's pal Chloe, played by Krysten Ritter, storms into the magazine's New York City headquarters and tries to take charge and get Van Der Beek on the cover.

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In a clip from the show, Van Der Beek, 35, exemplifies his sex appeal by prancing around naked in front of costar Dreama Walker, who plays June Colburn, an avid fan of the annual issue.

"When the issue comes out every year, I look at it to see if they've gotten it right, and they haven't yet because I haven't seen myself on the cover," the former Dawson's Creek star recently told PEOPLE jokingly (in real life). "Brad Pitt, George Clooney? They try, and I give them credit for it. But my day will come."

PEOPLE's choice for the Sexiest Man Alive title will be revealed Nov. 14. Be one of the first to find out.