Can Roseanne Save Sketch Comedy?

‘‘Television is not very patient at all, and sketch comedy is not a thing that develops easily,’‘ says Terry Turner, Bonnie's husband and writing partner. ‘‘Because it's the unruly kid in the class, people have to cut it a lot of slack and say, 'Bobby's kind of a big problem, but have you seen the artwork?'‘‘

All of which, come to think of it, is a perfect description of Roseanne's latest venture. Based on the rehearsal for the first episode, this unruly kid has some developing to do. Many of the sketches fall flat, and none were terribly groundbreaking, but the stand-out skit — Roseanne doing a hilarious spoof of Demi Moore on the pre-Oscar Barbara Walters Special — is as funny as anything on TV. One powerful Hollywood woman lampooning another? Only Roseanne would attempt it.

Hopefully, Fox will cut SNS some slack. ‘‘You need at least a year,’‘ grumbles Roseanne, ‘‘but I'm satisfied that I got six episodes. I guess.’‘

— Additional reporting by Dan Snierson and Vicki Jo Radovsky