Connect with us

Breaking News

10

Federal Judge Rejects Hallmark Channel Owner’s Effort To Dismiss Former ‘Home & Family’ Host, Mark Steines’ Lawsuit

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

It was a good legal day for Mark Steines. The former co-host of Home & Family, who was suddenly dumped from the popular morning series on the Hallmark Channel, scored a victory against his former employer.

According to Deadline: District Court Judge Cormac Carney definitively wrote on Tuesday that ‘Defendants’ motion to dismiss is denied, and ‘Defendants’ motion to strike is denied, and that Crown Media lost every part of the motion they filed back on November 11th to halt Steines’ retaliation and wrongful termination lawsuit.  A copy of the court documents can be found here.

The back-story: this past May, Steines was all of a sudden let-go from the morning show. Later, Steines went public with the behind the scenes intel at Home & Family where he had his pay cut, and was eventually let go for sticking up for women who had been allegedly harassed by now former series EP, Woody Fraser.

Subsequently, Fraser was removed by Crown Media after female executives and staffers took their term claims to attorney Lisa Bloom (who is repping Steines) and Steines complained to the powers-that-be.  It appeared that Steines’ move did not go over well with the company and he was soon after given his walking papers.

“There is no merit to the legal claims Mr. Steines is asserting against Crown Media,” the Hallmark Channel owner said in September in response to their former host’s lawsuit. “Crown Media is also surprised that Lisa Bloom is representing Mr. Steines in this matter since she has a consulting agreement with Crown Media.”

Bloom said,  “We look forward to proving our case at trial, where we are confident we will prevail.”

So, what do you think about what went down to terminate Mark Steines from Home & Family? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

.

10 Comments

10 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

This looks shady as all hell on Hallmark’s part. And, no offense, but, being a network that primarily targets women and families, this is disappointing on their behalf. Hope Mark wins big and is able to find a new platform; whenever I’d catch moments of Home & Family, I always loved to see Mark as host!

Sorry to hear about the drama. I did like Mark Steines on Home & Family. Let’s hope for justice, whoever is right in the case.

– I – HOPE – Mark Steines WINS his legalese

and takes them for a bank roll ride

Cameron Mathison is no where near .. no where … in the same league as Mark Stein

Cameron 15 minutes has long gone… do your entertainment tonight reporting.. AND stay put

you have an affable enough persona… however that does not equate to good enough acting

Wow! Who knew? MeToo has shaken the bushes–ensnared Woody Fraser. Some hypocrisy underfoot when the EP of a show called “Home and Family:?!! Will be interesting to see the outcome of this lawsuit.

Get ’em Mark Steines! Glad he called out Hallmark Channel, they look really bad now. I hope he wins this lawsuit against them.

Kudos to Mark Steines. That took a lot of courage to stand up to corporate bullies, maybe more than anyone knows. I enjoyed the working relationship Mark had with his previous co-host Christina and Mark was one of the reasons I continued to watch HH&F after Christina was let go. I haven’t watched since. I also have other issues with the programming and stale story lines of the Hallmark movies, but grasp why they are so popular. I wish Mark profound success with this mission. I hope it leaves a …wait for iiit…”mark” on Hallmark.

I think what they did to him and why was wrong. I also didn’t like what they did to Christina. I enjoyed the show daily. I do not watch the show at all anymore. I hope Mark wins his lawsuit.

Too bad Mark didnt go to bat for Cristina when she was let go. You reap what you sow.

I hope Mark strikes wins his lawsuit

I think it terrible. Look how hallmark treats there staff. This is kind of the same exit they gave lori and The garage sale mystery staff

Breaking News

‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)

Published

on

By

The love was felt around the world during the Sunday, June 7 livestream conversation featuring enduring Santa Barbara Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker who played Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell on the iconic NBC soap opera. The popular duo reunited for this special one-day only special event honoring their most memorable of daytime roles.

Santa Barbara was globally a hit, and nothing illustrated that more than having attendees from 20 countries and over four continents participate in and watch the live chat moderated by Melissa Braverman, the author of Santa Barbara: The Complete Story due out this fall.

While many were not able to purchase the initial livestream when the ticket costs were revealed to be $100,  A Martinez previously clarified the event was to also raise money for Walker, who is currently facing a very serious health situation, now there is a way to catch the replay at half the price.

Courtesy: MBraverman

HOW YOU CAN STILL CATCH A AND MARCY’S LIVESTREAM

Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively that if you missed the chance to see and listen to what A and Marcy had to say, On demand access is available at the event link for a half price at $50 (guests can contribute up to $100 if they so chose). Like the livestream, 100% of On demand sales for the recording will be available for a limited time only, and also go toward Marcy’s medical expenses.

There was plenty of laughter, tears, and reminiscing through the the two and a half hour chat which included: some memorable footage and images from the love story of Cruz and Eden. At one point, Marcy reflected on the enduring impact and affection for Cruz and Eden. “You hope that whatever you do in this life, that you’ll make an impact of some kind,” expressed Walker. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be wrapped up in success or career or anything like that, but I think we all want desperately to feel like our time here blessed someone. To hear that somebody’s life was even a moment better because of what we did is a massive gift.

Photo: NBC

A AND MARCY’S DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN

In a moment that brought joy to those in attendance, A and Marcy both expressed a sincere hope and desire that one day they can work together again. Martinez explained, “There’s more avenues to pursue now than there have ever been. I would say just keep a good thought for it. I’ve been holding it for decades, and I fully intend to do whatever I can to make it happen. We’re engaged in trying to make it happen. And you know, we’ll see. I know we both want to do it.” Marcy simply nodded and responded “Amen.”

Melissa Braverman shared with Michael Fairman TV, her sentiments on hosting the Santa Barbara favorites. “Seeing A and Marcy together again, even virtually, was an absolute gift. It instantly reminded all of us why we fell so hard for Cruz and Eden in the first place. Their undeniable chemistry leaped off the screen and straight back into our hearts, proving that the magic they created all those years ago hasn’t faded one bit. Sharing in equal parts laughter and tears felt like catching up with old friends. It just meant the world to see them side-by-side again and to see how this incredible fandom showed up for Marcy during such an important time for her.”

So, if you attended the livestream chat with A Martinez and Marcy Walker, what did you enjoy hearing about the most? Now the tickets have dropped to watch the replay On Demand, would you want to check it out? Let us know via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July

Published

on

By

There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.

The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.

On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI

THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.

Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.

The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.

As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.

Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.

So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order

Published

on

By

In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.

The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC

In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”

A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS

The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.

Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear.  The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.

It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.

So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

General Hospital

Airdate: 5-14-2026

Popular

10
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x