Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood (authors of "I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide") liked the episode. Parts of the episode they liked the most were Homer in the vibrating chair and Maggie using Herb's machine for babies. David Eklid from "The Guardian" said that this episode, "Lisa's Pony", and "Stark Raving Dad" make the 3rd season "pretty much the best season of any television show, ever." Nathan Ditum from "Total Film" thought that the episode referencing the movie "" was one of the best movie references of "The Simpsons".