Ray Richmond of "Variety" described how the original "Monkey-ed Movies" "proved to be clever stuff, in large part because it was short and sweet" but that "with "Chimp Channel", TBS monkeys with an undeniably thin concept and stretches it past the limit." While he commended the "sharp, well-organized direction from Mitchell Walker and the uncannily effective animal work from head trainer Bob Dunn, coordinator Mike Morris and their team," Richmond added "What seems cute in small doses feels awfully humiliating in this expanded format, sucking out any novelty and leaving in its wake only the uncomfortable entrails."