Chuck Barney has been execrating and celebrating television for the Times since 1997. He first started showing signs of being a TV Freak when, as a youth in Hawaii, he often shunned snorkeling and surfing in order to hang out on the film sets of “Hawaii Five-O.” Alas, ’til this day, he regrets not turning out to be as handsome and/or kick-butt cool as Steve McGarrett.

Still, he does wield a mean remote-control, which can zap away hideous programming from 50 paces out with the speed and suddenness of a turbo-charged light saber. Chuck became a TV critic following a lengthy tenure as a sportswriter for several publications, including the Times. He reviews new shows, analyzes industry trends and keeps a wary eye on the local TV news scene.

In his spare time, believe it or not, he actually likes to read.