The undistinguished Fox sitcom "Costello" now holds the distinction of being the first fall series to get the ax this season. Tonight's episode - the series' fourth on the air - will also be its last.
The show was apparently too loud and abrasive even for Fox, which is saying something.Beginning next week, the network will fill the time slot with reruns of "King of the Hill," at least through the end of the November sweeps.
"Costello" certainly won't be the last show to be canceled. CBS's "Brian Benben Show" is teetering on the edge, as are Fox's "Living in Captivity" and "Getting Personal."
The bloodletting has only begun.
ONWARD AND UPWARD: Peter Mathes, who has been the vice president and general manager of KTVX-Ch. 4 for the past 71/2 years, won't have one TV station to worry about any more - he'll have 10 TV stations to worry about.
Mathes is being promoted to executive vice president of the United/Chris Craft television group, where he'll be responsible for one of the nation's largest station groups, which includes not only KTVX but outlets in major markets like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Eight of the 10 stations are UPN affiliates, and United/Chris Craft owns 50 percent of the United Paramount Network.
One of Mathes' first tasks on his new job will be choosing someone to fill his old job. He'll be transitioning to his new post through the end of the year, and while he'll be based in Los Angeles he won't be giving up his home in the Park City area.
"I love living here," Mathes said. "But this is a great opportunity."