TOWEL TOSSER

Now that KCBS-TV Channel 2’s new afternoon “wheel” of hard/soft news is headed for the exit door--with the responsible CBS executives ahead of it--how will the station dump the format without losing face? The joke going around KCBS: Monday’s afternoon news will begin with former Channel 2 anchorman Jess Marlow stepping out of the shower and proclaiming, “Don’t worry, this has all just been a bad dream. . . .”

But seriously, folks . . . Word has it that Marlow will be joining KNBC Channel 4 soon after Dec. 1.