HD Heads-Up: March 15

TVNZ 2 will screen a one-off episode of The Simpsons as an unusually late Saturday night special on March 25. It will be an 8.45 broadcast of the latest in the Treehouse of Horror trilogies, one that was deemed inappropriate for The Simpsons’ 7.00 Sunday slot. Treehouse XXVII also happens to be the 600th episode of the long-in-the-toon ‘toon that’s been renewed for at least two more seasons. As well as parodies of The Hunger Games and Kingsman: The Secret Service, there’s a gorgeous throwaway gag at Frank Grimes’ expense. Said The AV Club: “The Simpsons’ Halloween tradition is for quick-hit horror and sci-fi parodies, a heap of references, some gratuitous bloodshed, and the occasional actual smidgen of heart. Grading on that curve, the 27th installment does its job, for the most part” …

TVNZ 1’s latest renovation show, Inside Out Homes, will air 8.35 Saturdays from March 25. “For this glossy new property series, architect Zac Monro extols the virtues of blurring the boundaries between house and garden, and of open-plan living,” The Guardian said. “He begins with a makeover of an 18th-century barn that’s atmospheric but gloomy. Time to cover a courtyard with a bespoke glass roof overseen by engineer Monty Ravenscroft, and build a garden office. Cameras also follow a project to remodel a Manchester semi so that it offers two separate living areas” …

Inside Out Homes is part of a 12-strong stable of property shows on Channel 4. Quipped The Independent: “As these beautiful homes dance flirtatiously before your eyes, take pause to flip channels to the news and be reminded it’s all now an idle fantasy, and that we live in a world where the average house price is set to hit £300,000 this year” …

The premiere of Inside Out Homes coincides with George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces ending its 7.30 Thursday run on March 30. Exiting the same week will be Indian Summers, The Catch and The Last Ship while returning will be Highway Cops (TVNZ 1, 8.00 Monday), Devious Maids (TVNZ 2, 12.35am Thursday) and Motorway Patrol  (TVNZ 2, 8.00 Thursday) …

Lifting off 8.00 Wednesdays from March 29 on TVNZ 1 will be the Qantas-funded Ready for Take Off. Reviews are hard to find but there’s a sampling of flyers’ comments on this forum that compares it unfavourably with Come Fly With Me …