Charles Barkley -- I HATE REALITY TV ... But I Loooove 'Scandal'

Charles Barkley is a GLADIATOR ... telling TMZ Sports he HATES reality TV with a passion -- but he's got a soft spot in his heart for "Scandal."

Sir Charles was out in NYC today -- and even though we started off talking about President Barack Obama's Final Four picks (Chuck approves btw) ... we moved right into Barkley's TV habits.

Charles Dislikes: "The Bachelor" and every other reality show ever created.

Charles Likes: "Scandal," "Person of Interest" and "Blue Bloods."