[6][7][8] The Atlantic summarizes the core values of a very special episode as thus:The main characters beloved by viewers would inevitably avoid serious harm.
[10] The Washington Post called the episode "a calm, careful and intelligent treatment of a difficult and potentially traumatizing subject.
"[11] Comedian Frank Caliendo spoofed this concept with "TV Promos" and "A Very Special Seinfeld" on his 2002 album Make the Voices Stop.
[12] Notably, Larry David, producer and co-creator of Seinfeld, was reportedly strongly opposed to having a very special episode in the series, with the motto of writers and cast being "No hugging, no learning".
[13][14][15] The concept was also spoofed on the 1996 Animaniacs episode "A Very Very Very Very Special Show" where Yakko, Wakko and Dot attempt to teach politically correct lessons in order to win a Humanitarian Animation Award.