Building the Band on Netflix has a quiet sadness about it. It's not only because it's a mix of Love Is Blind and The Voice. Liam Payne, the "glorious" One Direction star who died last October, will not be seen on film again after this show. Payne's attendance as a judge with Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger is both a gift and a gut-punch. This is especially true when host AJ McLean starts the show with a dedication: "We never thought we'd be saying goodbye to our friend so soon." I couldn't help but get choked up watching him teach these young artists, knowing what we know now.

Payne's sad presence keeps the chaos in check.

Behind-the-scenes information shows a kind mentor.

Liam Payne wasn't just a famous judge; he was the heart of the show. Remarkable exec Cat Lawson said he was "amazing in the show," and co-judge Nicole Scherzinger reiterated this on Twitter, saying, "Liam is such a kind and beautiful heart..." I'm glad the world gets to see another one of his talents. You can tell he's being honest when you watch his scenes. He didn't just show up for the cameras; he'd spend breaks singing with fans or giving advise off-camera. Payne mentored like he hoped someone had helped One Direction get started: with no ego and a lot of patience.

Scherzinger is right: this is a gift. His comments weren't meant to make him look bad; they were detailed, helpful, and centered on how the band worked together. He knew better than anyone how powerful working together might be because he had done it. In a powerful scene from later episodes (which haven't been out yet), he advises a group that is having trouble, "It's not about the loudest voice; it's about finding harmony when no one is looking." It's hard not to think about what else he could have done to help with music mentoring.

"Love Is Blind" and "Making the Band" come together, but does it work?

New Format or Reality TV Patchwork?

The pod system, in which 50 singers chose bandmates based only on voice, sounds like a new idea. Simon Crossley from Remarkable says that "TikTok stars are cheaper than bands?" is a way to remedy the "lack of bands" these days. Okay. But why not give singers a venue to meet? The goal is a good one. But by Episode 3, the concept starts to seem old. Without images, early choices are based on belting power rather than tonal compatibility, which makes for shocking mismatches when the pods finally open.

The chemistry test seems rushed compared to other episodes about making bands, like Making the Band. Diddy's tough boot camps brought people together by making them work together; here, bands live together once they form. When people don't get along (and they don't, especially when "Regina George" types are around), you can see that the bonds aren't strong. The Guardian's critic hit the nail on the head: halfway through the season, the pods' "respectful peer notes" turn into typical reality-TV tension techniques.

The Hard Search for Today's Beatles

Can reality TV really bring back the culture of bands?

Lawson and Crossley both have huge dreams, and they hope this will lead to a band revival like the one that happened in the 1990s and 2000s. But is Netflix helping these groups succeed? There is no record deal prize, which is shocking. Instead, there is only $500,000 and "a global platform." That's a big risk when TikTok algorithms select who becomes famous. Lawson says that some bands are already getting interest from labels, but since we don't have any video of their post-show growth (which would have been a great chance), we're left wondering if Building's bands will withstand streaming's dominance of solo artists.

And let's talk about Payne's shadow: would this show be as popular without his sad connection? There are a lot of different reactions on social media. Fans say, "Watching Liam's last smile hurts too much." Some people say, "Netflix is taking advantage of grief?" What is the truth? Payne's real excitement for the work penetrates through the cacophony. It wasn't a stunt for him to be involved; it was a lesson in art. Lawson says, "The show is dedicated to him... We all loved him."

The Decision? Payne's Legacy is Required Viewing

Is Building the Band a perfect change in talent TV? No. The concept promises more new ideas than it delivers, using old reality show cliches again after Episode 4. But do you have to see it to see Liam Payne's last, emotional performance? Of course. Seeing him support young musicians so generously, knowing how fame can be bad but still believing in the joy of music, makes up for the show's inadequacies. Crossley says they "miss bands." I miss Payne. And as I saw him help these singers get along, I thought he was a mentor who needed more time to impact the future of music.

Netflix now has Building the Band. Bring some tissues.