Michael Hutchence doco slammed by bandmates trails INXS series in ratings

The first part of Michael Hutchence: The Last Rockstar on Seven last night proved not to be the ratings smash it was expected to be.

It drew 526,000 overnight metro viewers, and ranked #18 out of the night’s Top 20 shows.

In comparison, the first part of the INXS: Never Tear Us Apart series in February 2014 drew an overnight 1.94 million (2.24 million consolidated metro and regional viewing) and the second generated 1.767 million overnight metros (and 2.08 million consolidated).

They topped the ratings on each of the nights.

The Last Rockstar drew 145,000 in Melbourne, 143,000 in Sydney, 92,000 in Perth, 85,000 in Brisbane and 63,000 in Adelaide.

The series aired after INXS and their record labels Petrol and Universal Music Group distanced themselves from it.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, they “confirmed that they were never approached for their opinion, consultation of the content, participation or comment in relation to the Michael Hutchence documentary on the Seven Network.

“Publication of any image or recording concerning INXS or the band members is not an authorised publication.

“The band remain focused on their 40th anniversary event and their future projects.”

The series’ executive producer Mark Llewellyn responded, via Mumbrella, that the series was about Hutchence and not INXS, and had the blessing of the singer’s family and friends.

Many, he said, had not spoken out before, and offered a fresh perspective.

“These were the people who spent the most time with him in the critical points of his life, the pivotal points of his life and there was a lot going on in his life that was completely separate to the times that he was with the band, and that is why I wanted to go down that path, it is a path that has not been travelled, the other path has been well travelled.”

Universal and Passion Pictures are currently working on a separate Hutchence biopic.