 The special was the highest rated "Rugrats" episode, the highest-rated Nickelodeon program, and the cable's #1 show for the week ending July 22, 2001, with a 7.2 rating equivalent to 12 million viewers.Approximately 70% of all kids aged 2–11 tuned in to watch the special.Nickelodeon president, Herb Scannell, noted that a "Surprising numbers of kids held "Rugrats" parties on Saturday night and watched the show in groups".