Did you maybe set explicitly on some other level for title to show.
If you look:
templates\hot_responsive\html\com_content\featured\default_item.php
Code:
<?php if ($params->get('show_title')) : ?>
<h2>
<?php if ($params->get('link_titles') && $params->get('access-view')) : ?>
<a href="<?php echo JRoute::_(ContentHelperRoute::getArticleRoute($this->item->slug, $this->item->catid)); ?>">
<?php echo $this->escape($this->item->title); ?></a>
<?php else : ?>
<?php echo $this->escape($this->item->title); ?>
<?php endif; ?>
</h2>
<?php endif; ?>
there is correct condition:
if ($params->get('show_title'))
so something is not set properly.
