In its original airing on the Fox network, "Stark Raving Dad" acquired a 13.9 Nielsen rating and 23 percent share of the audience. It was viewed in approximately 12.8 million homes, finishing the week ranked 33rd. The episode finished second in its time slot behind the season premiere of "The Cosby Show", which ranked eighth for the week with a 19.7 rating and 31 percent share. "The Simpsons" was the second-highest rated show on Fox the week it aired, behind "Married... with Children".