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?
Sorry to be let down once more by a network. FYI maybe you could do a poll BEFORE you make a major mistake and just see how much your host wiuld be missed BEFORE you make a TERRIBLE decision. Sorry you didn’t give us the viewers a chance so I do not feel obligated to give you a chance in your poor judgement.
I agree; poor judgement on the network’s part; will stop watching the show
WTF HALLMARK ? WILL NO LONGER WATCH OR DVR. Out with “old” & in with the “new”?? BAD CHOICE. Nothing against Debbie but Christina was the very essence of the show not to mention the awful message this sends to the majority of your female audience of a certain age!!! WOW!!
You go, girl! I find I am getting more and more upset by the firing of Cristina and Hallmark’s lies as time goes on and the network continues to ignore us.
I am sk sorry to see that Christina had left Home and Family. I wish her the best. As for Debbie, she is a great interviiewer and is so full of energy. Love her and Mark hosting together. I am a huge fan of this show. The variety of entertainment and love of all the co-hosts give me so many ideas to bring into my home! God bless you all at Hallmark! Yes I will continue yo watch your show.
The show has lost it’s family energy, that’s what pulled me in. It is so fake and commercial now. I am no longer watching it. I don’t know what happened but there is no way that show will survive now. It’s just bad.
I am shocked that Christina was fired. Hallmark how could you? She is the Mother in Home & Family. What were you thinking???? While Debbie is okay she is no Christina. Debbie does not have the warmth that Christina has. You have lost this viewer. I am done with Hallmark!!!
Debbie is definitely not Cristina and I don’t believe she can top Ms Ferrare; sorry!
I have been wondering where Christina was, now I know. Very unhappy with Hallmark for firing her!!!!!!!!!!! I thought Christina added a lot to the show and she is missed more than she may know. I watched Home and Family everyday but not sure if I will now. Nothing against Debbie but I prefer Christina and it is very unacceptable the way they went about this also, not only did they do Christina wrong but never let their viewers know what was going on. Hallmark this decision may come back to haunt you!!!!!! Time to find another channel and show… Read more »
I loved Chrstina on that show her and Mark were great TOGETHER! Debbie just seems so fake and showy. Not the one I would have picked. You never should have let her go mistake number one. Next mistake was too much Debbie. Kim would have been better if big if Christina had to go…..
It seems execs replace talented, capable women with a younger version all the time. So wrong. Male counterparts are not discrimated against – ever. So wrong. Ferrare’s departure is excellent example that the wonks don’t know their audience. I will not be watching H & F in the future.
So many pages of comments that are pro Cristina and anti Debbie. Why could not Hallmark executives be as discerning as the viewers?
I think the show was much stronger with Christina Ferrare as co-host than it is now. The length of the show has always meant that the content was a bit thin and the presentations of projects often amateurish, and the cure for those things would be a shorter show with more carefully planned content. Firing Christina didn’t solve any of the real problems but instead created another one by removing a co-host who was apparently quite popular. I might watch the show from time to time, but it won’t be on my list of “must see” programs.
I agree with the comments. Sad to see Cristina replaced. Do not like the new co-host. She’s too bossy and sarcastic to Mark. Also, do not think the constant hitting and poking that she does are appropriate. By the way, Kristen is GREAT! We miss you here in Phoenix!
Very sad .I really like Christina she made you feel like you where in her own home with all the caring and love she showed us everyday. She will surely be missed.
I was looking forward every day to see Christina be her real self.Debbie is so fake for the camera,that’s why she hurt her nose,and probably her back.no one but her would jump on the ground and do the centipede,with already back problem,which were from a different show.bye h+f,I can’t spell out family.because if this act is a family,in with the younger,well all my friend will never watch such a non real family show like this,,spread the word middle age folks,we are next, axe,,ax
I love Debbie but I love Christina as the co-host of Home & Family MORE. I will likely not watch faithfully any longer. I love all the cast but Christina and Mark ARE the stars.
I was so very sad to see that Christina had been fired. I always felt that she was the very essence of the show. I have watched the show a few times but it really doesn’t have that warmth anymore. I don’t really feel the need to watch it anymore, whereas I was a regular viewer previouslyrics. Very sad.