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Home & Family’ Shocker: Longtime Co-Host Mark Steines Let Go Without Warning

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: JPI Studios

In a shocking move, Home & Family’s original host, Mark Steines, who has been with the show since October of 2012, was abruptly let go by the Hallmark Channel.  From various reports, Steines was “blindsided by the news.”

Apparently, Steines was simply given an explanation that they were changing the show’s “creative direction.”  A rep with knowledge of Steines’ deal told The Wrap that his contract was not up, and they expect to be paid out through its conclusion.  Hallmark clarified on friday that there were no specific complaints about Steines’ behavior on or off the set.

Crown Media Family Networks only made a brief statement on its Twitter account Thursday, “Hallmark Channel has parted ways with Mark Steines as the co-host of the network’s lifestyle series Home & Family.”

Sadly, a rep for Steines said he was completely unaware that when he went to tape Wednesday’s episode that it would be his final one!  Home & Family always tapes its episodes one day in advance of airing.

In an expanded statement released on Friday, Hallmark Channel expressed, “Shows evolve and change all the time.  Mark has been an instrumental part of Home & Family for the past 6 years, and we are extremely grateful for his incredible work and leadership.  We truly wish Mark all the best in his future endeavors.”

The Home & Family team, anchored by Steines and his most recent co-host, Debbie Matenopoulos, looked positively shocked when Debbie had to make the announcement of his sudden departure on the episode that aired today.

“We have a very hard announcement to deliver.  Our dear friend, our very good friend, and my wonderful co-host for years, Mr. Mark Steines is no longer with Home & Family.  He has been an amazing friend to all of us here at Hallmark Channel, the cast, the crew and a wonderful friend to all of you at home as well.  And we are grateful to Mark, and we want to thank him from the bottom of our hearts for six of the most incredible years that he has had here hosting this incredible show that he helped build.  He really did. He’s been here from the beginning and a lot of this show has Mark’s handprint on it, so we support him in everything he does in the future, his future endeavors. We will miss him dearly and we will think about him fondly and often and we thank you all at home for your kindness and understanding and your support and for being part of our family everyday.”

As soap opera fans know, Home & Family has been a great friend, offering full episodes of an All My Children reunion, a The Bold and The Beautiful anniversary show, a Y&R-centric show, and many more.

So, what do you think happened to Mark Steines?  Why was he shown the front door at Hallmark? Is there more to the story than we know?  Than just citing “creative differences?” Will Debbie Matenopoulos have a new male co-anchor?

Also on Friday’s episode of Home & Family, was former GH favorite, Ryan Paevey (Ex-Nathan West) who was on the show to promote his Hallmark Channel movie airing Saturday night: Marrying Mr. Darcy.  Check out that clip below.

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Wow I liked him a lot better than the women on that home and family. Was one of the reasons I watched the show. I don’t care for females hostesses. Other talk shows woman appear to be babbling always. Woman can’t be taken seriously in my opinion. Yes I’m a woman.

Well they did the same thing to Cristina Ferrare too! Seems to be a pattern.

The same thought crossed my mind GN. Seems like ageism to me.

Shock is right ! I remember when Mark left ET to do this new exciting show.
I wish him well in his next venture.

I am very sad about this ! He is the the show and makes it worth watching ! BIG MISTAKE ,HUGE !

I’m done watching, why do they want to change a good thing?

probably want someone younger…

Big mistake, get rid of Debbie she hasn’t inpressed me always got her mouth going also helping with food part needs to allow the food person do there thing not her,she shows off to much. Won’t be watching it any more.

I remember when Debbie Matenopoulos joined the show a few years back, I suspected Cristina Ferrare wouldn’t be around much longer…and then sure enough, she was fired. Steines firing is odd, too, cause he was good on the show.

I liked Cristina Ferrare, never been a fan of big-mouth’s (Debbie). I always liked Mark.

Really? I will miss him and good luck to him.

It’s disgusting. This has happened to many times and their always saying wer’re going in a new direction. They get rid of the good ones and keep others like Debbie. They are going to lose a lot of viewers

Wow! I think they should have been more transparent in giving a “reason.”

People that have been in this business a long time and then cut, for no apparent reason, as uncerimoniouly as he was, there’s obviously A REASON. He still had time on his contract as well. It will eventually come out… obviously everyone was shocked.

Amen me too.women are argumentative too much drama all self absorbed

Another backdoor move by ABC to mave that annoying Cameron Mathison into ANOTHER cushy role at the network! I hate him! But Mark, you will be better off with your talent to go on and achieve better things my man.

They got rid of the wrong co-host…Debbie Matenopoulos-ugh.

General Hospital

Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

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Maura West and Kelly Sullivan

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.

The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.

Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST

Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”

Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI

KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”

You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.

So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!

 

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General Hospital

Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Steve Burton

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.

TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.

That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Steve Burton

Photo: ABC

STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES

GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.

Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).

Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.

GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS

Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.

Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.

So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

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Jess Walton

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!

Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.

The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Jess Walton

Photo; Kensington Books

CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE

The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds,  “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill AbbottTwo Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”

“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”

“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”

WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?

Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.

This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.

So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.

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

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