Yesterday, Hallmark Channel announced that host Cristina Ferrare would be replaced as co-host by regular contributor Debbie Matenopoulos. The cable channel didn’t specify when the change would take place.
Today, co-host Mark Steines made a quick announcement that Ferrare had left the show and that Matenopoulos would be replacing her, effective immediately. Ferrare hadn’t been on the show for two weeks and didn’t return for a send-off.
Fans of the show have been concerned if Ferrare was sick and have been wondering if the decision to leave was her decision. On her Facebook page, Ferrare confirmed that she is not sick and essentially says that she was fired. She wrote:
Okay here goes, I feel it’s important to finally step up to the plate and let you know what is happening.
First may I say that my family and I have been so thankful and appreciative for all the love, support, prayers, and good wishes you have been sending me on a daily basis for the past three weeks. It pained me so that I was unable to let you know what was going on out of respect for everyone on Home and Family and the Network. I was asked to wait and I have but now I feel I should out of respect for YOU let you know.
It’s really very simple, Home and Family will have a season 5 which I am so happy for and the Network decided that they want a new co-host and that will be Debbie. She will do a great job!
You can still reach me here on facebook and we shall continue honoring love of family and friends. I truly LOVE you all. You have been my rainbow!
What do you think? Are you sorry that Ferrare is no longer a co-host on Home & Family? Will you continue to watch? Should the show be cancelled or, is Ferrare’s replacement a good idea?
I have been watching Home and Family since Cristina co hosted in the 90’s! She was the star of the show ~ brought beauty, class, compassion, elegance and many talents! The show/network/Woody Fraser made a big mistake firing Cristina because they actually fired thousands of devoted fans that will impact the future of the show and network! Most of us vowed to boycott the show/network and stop supporting their retail stores! We hope and pray for Cristina as she moves forward in her future plans! We will all be there to support her! Would love to see her reunited with… Read more »
How awful to fire Cristina while she was “on a much needed vacation.” Oh wait, Mark S was lying to us. Not being a good role model to teaching your boys to lie Mark. We don’t teach that in our home with our family. We only watch programs that are ethical.
Sorry. We’re gone.
I have read all the comments concerning cristina being replaced as the co-host of home and family and I agree with almost all of the comments. I thought it was just me who decided to stop watching the program. I am sorry to see cristina go but I am also sorry for how it all happened. I am not sure how a television show could make new feel as if my feelings meant nothing but they sure managed to do it. The best way I can explain how I feel is to say that this is the first time I… Read more »
Debbie is okay but are you kidding me right now? Christina was the glue of the family! I have been watching everyday to see if she was back from the mysterious “vacation”. Truly disappointed with this decision.
You diss Christina then I diss you. I’m out and your deleted. Shame on you HM
I am not sure what they are thinking! And to top it off Debbie is the most annoying cast member they have. Biggest mistake ever. I never missed an episode and won’t be watching anymore.
You diss Christina then I diss you. I’m out and you are deleted. HM shame on you!!!
Cristina and Mark are the faces of home and family. It saddens me to hear that Cristina will not be returning, Although I believe she cannot be replaced. .Debbie has and will do a great job! Cristina has brought elegance and class to home and family and I will truly miss seeing her every day.
I am so sad to see Christina not with home and family. Im sirry but if all co host options you pick Debbie? I cant stand her. She is all about “me me me” the worst thing a co host of the show can be. I wsd hoping she wouldnt return from maternity leave. I unfortunately will no longer be watching due to these decisions. Christina was great. Great chemistry with Mark. If she really had to be replaced it should have been Paige.
Christina made the show and with Mark, perfect hosts. Christina has elegance, wonderful hostess and cook and speaker. Please stop the stupid games too.
Will bring down my cable bill from 250 channels to 150 which does not include hallmark, no tina, no watched H&F,, yeah some “family”.
I think they are crazy!! Christina was the best!!
Everyone is putting the blame on just Woody but Halmark is really the culprit.You lost so many viewers.This was your big mistake !!! FIX IT!!!!!!!!
Woody is exec producer and developer of H&F and has a lot of say, I am sure, what goes on. Hallmark and Woody, you made a BIG mistake!
I really loved Christina’s calmness on this show. Debbie is nice but she’s not Christina.
Just cancelled my daily taping of the show. For a while now Mark was getting me sick with over the top cheeriness and crazy eyebrows. Debbie I just can’t stand so now as co-host I had to stop watching. Moving on…..
I am so sorry to see Christina go. She had a real sense of class about her and that spilled over to the show. Loved her cooking segments too. She was a nice partner for Mark. Debbie is ok, but not as experienced as Christina. Debbie Is so boisterous and drowns out the guests sometimes. Will watch once in a while if I have time but not everyday like I used to.
Hallmark / You diss Christinà and then I diss you. I’m out and HM has been deleted. Shame on you!!!