In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 11.5 million viewers, making it the tenth most watched program of the week as well as the second most watched scripted program on the network the night it aired. The episode was released on home video for the first time in 2004, and in 2007, the episode was again released as part of the DVD set "The Simpsons – The Complete Tenth Season". Following its broadcast, the episode received mostly positive reviews from critics.