Today, in the “Well, that didn’t take long” department: Variety has reported that ABC News and Nightline are diving into a Hulu special about Liam Payne’s death, a mere eight days after the tragic event. The special is part of ABC’s Impact X Nightline TV magazine series—yes, the same show that brought us hits like “What Happened To Matthew Perry?”, “Andrew Tate: Into The Manosphere,” and “OnlyFans: Not Just For Sex.”
Titled One Direction: Liam Payne’s Final Days, the special will air this Thursday. Its logline lays out the pitch with characteristic subtlety: “Drugs, a trashed hotel room, and a deadly fall: How One Direction’s Liam Payne tragically died. The boy band singer’s sudden death sparked renewed questions about the dark side of fame. How did the 31-year-old’s brilliant star fade so dramatically?”
Payne died on October 16 after reportedly falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina, though the exact details are still murky. In the days since, we’ve seen reports about his career struggles, relationship turmoil, and a series of heartfelt tributes from his bandmates and fellow artists. All of which makes Impact X Nightline’s attempt to tackle the “truth” of Payne’s final days feel—how shall we put it? —just a little bit premature.
And maybe we’re being unfair, but a look at their chosen lineup of interviewees doesn’t inspire a whole lot of confidence. The list includes Irish singer Mary Byrne, who briefly lived with the One Direction boys during their X Factor days, a social psychologist (Dr. Azadeh Aalai), a One Direction fan (Natalie Barada), and a handful of ABC News contributors. Noticeably absent? Pretty much anyone who could be described as being close to Liam Payne during his adult life.
So, if you were hoping for a deep and honest examination of Payne’s struggles and his final moments, you’ll probably want to keep waiting. As for ABC News and Hulu? Well, the show must go on—preferably with a catchy title and a heavy dose of sensationalism.
