HOT CORNER

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What: “Biography: John McEnroe”

Where: A&E;, Thursday, 8 p.m. and midnight

During the May sweeps rating period, A&E; has been offering new profiles on its “Biography” series, 26 in all. The only sports figure profiled is John McEnroe, whose conflicted legacy makes him a fitting choice.

A&E; does a fair job of trying to explain McEnroe and his infamous temper. An evaluation from his third-grade teacher points out that he “is crushed at any error he makes” and “pressures himself too much.”

But McEnroe doesn’t offer an explanation for his boorish behavior, other than to say, “The officiating was horrific and had to be exposed.”

To provide some insight, McEnroe’s parents, John Sr. and Kay, are interviewed, as are tennis reporters Bud Collins, Dick Enberg and Eugene Scott, along with several of McEnroe’s friends. But missing are his biggest tennis rival, Jimmy Connors, his brothers Patrick and Mark, and tennis broadcaster Mary Carillo, McEnroe’s one-time mixed-doubles partner who knows him as well as anybody.

But this “Biography” works because it is “Biography”--simple and easy to follow. It begins in the beginning--pointing out that McEnroe, 42, was born in Germany, grew up in suburban New York and attended a private school.

It follows McEnroe through his career, showing some of his many successes, including his winning an NCAA title as a freshman at Stanford, and his memorable battles with Bjorn Borg and Connors. But tennis fans might be disappointed there isn’t more tennis.

Also dealt with are his marriages--first to Tatum O’Neal and then to his current wife, rock singer Patty Smyth--his love of art, and his TV work.