In 1997, "TV Guide" named "Krusty Gets Kancelled" as the second greatest "Simpsons" episode and the 66th greatest TV episode. In 1998, "TV Guide" listed it in its list of top twelve episodes, stating ""Simpsons" fans get a star-packed keeper that in its own twisted way reflects the pure faith and goodness at the heart of every classic children's tale." In 2006, Bette Midler, Hugh Hefner, Johnny Carson, Luke Perry, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers were listed at number four on IGN's list of the best "Simpsons" guest stars. They all also appeared on AOL's list of their favorite 25 "Simpsons" guest stars. In 2007, "Vanity Fair" named "Krusty Gets Kancelled" as the ninth-best episode of "The Simpsons". John Ortved felt, "This is Krusty's best episode—better than the reunion with his father, or the Bar Mitzvah episode, which won an Emmy much later on. The incorporation of guest stars as themselves is top-notch, and we get to see the really dark side of Krusty's flailing showbiz career. Hollywood, television, celebrities, and fans are all beautifully skewered here." Brien Murphy of the "Abilene Reporter-News" classed "Krusty Gets Kancelled" as one of his three favorite episodes of "The Simpsons", along with "Behind the Laughter" and "The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase". Though Jim Schembri of "The Age" put the episode among his top 10 episodes of the series, he also noted "Unfortunately, this signaled the beginning of the show's obsession with star cameos." An article in the "Herald Sun" placed "Krusty Gets Kancelled" among the top 20 episodes of "The Simpsons", and characterized "The sight of Krusty's feeble attempt to fight back with his own gruesome ventriloquist doll, which falls apart on his lap on air" as the highlight of the episode. In 2009, it was named the 24th Greatest TV Episode of All-Time.