LUCAS 'BIOGRAPHY' A SYCOPHANT'S DELIGHT.

Byline: - David Kronke

I can think of one person who might possibly rate a ``Biography'' episode as unremittingly admiring as ``George Lucas: Building an Empire'': George W. Bush, if it aired minutes after his September speech on terrorism.

``Building an Empire'' offers up nothing ``Star Wars'' fans don't already know, nothing to confound their expectations and, in fact, is significantly less critical of Lucas' work than even the geekiest aficionado would be. (There's no mention of the ghastly Ewoks or the execrable Jar-Jar Binks at all.) Even Steven Spielberg repeatedly genuflects to his colleague here.

The film is hosted by Harry Smith, who should have the title ``professional sycophant'' listed on his resume - at one point he says to Lucas, practically aghast, ``And yet there are films of yours that didn't do so well!'' - as if it's impossible that a film Lucas produced could be anything less than brilliant. (Apparently, he's toeing Lucas' party line.)

It charts his rise through USC film school (including clips from his student films) to Hollywood brat alongside Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola. It painstakingly describes the process of creating ``Star Wars'' and ``Raiders of the Lost Ark,'' as if that's not material that anyone interested enough to watch wouldn't have already memorized.

At one point, an attempt at drama comes when Smith intones, of ``Star Wars,'' ``Yet the question loomed: Would it find an audience?'' That leads into what must be one of the least suspenseful commercial breaks in TV history.

``Building an Empire'' likewise strives to craft a romantic background out of his mundane childhood, one a lot of us had (a strict father, a propensity for comics, TV, rock 'n' roll and fast cars). It dismisses descriptions of him as shy and reclusive by having close friends say they're not true. Um, shy people tend not to be shy around the people they know. Friends, family and peers otherwise offer up such insights as: ``George is an extraordinarily focused person.'' Two hours of this gets to be a bit wearying.

It also practically vilifies ex-wife Marcia for leaving him (though he obliquely concedes he may have been an absentee husband) and former girlfriend Linda Ronstadt for - the nerve! - not wanting to settle down. Hmm, in sum: He's a real family-man/workaholic perfectionist who isn't so good dealing with actors but is nothing but the best dad in the world to his kids - and ladies, he's available!

``GEORGE LUCAS: CREATING AN EMPIRE''

What: Hagiographical ``Biography'' episode on the ``Star Wars'' guru.

Where: A&E.

When: 8 tonight; repeats at 10 and midnight.

Our rating: Two and one half stars

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A&E finds no dark side to director George Lucas.