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?
To Bay: Seems like you know how to check/track ratings. Please share the info. Thanks.
It’s obvious the network wanted a younger co-host. It happens all of the time and is a shame. Christina was the heart of the show, charming, knowledgeable and so much fun. Her laughter was contagious. Debbie will be fine, but she’s rather boring, frivolous and self-absorbed as was evident in her time on The View. Too bad. I won’t be watching.
I will no longer be watching Home & Family since Cristina has left… Not right at all the way it was done either. She was the heart of the show & the ratings will reflect this!
Christina is great. ..warm hearted..
Wonderful person…bring her back…
The program is not the same with out her…she is the life of that program. .
Mark and Christina are GREAT together..
Not sure if I will continue watching!
I really enjoyed the show with Christina. The whole staff was great but it does seem to be missing the warmth it had. I’m just not as interested anymore in watching..
our whole family is sick that christina has left. yes she was the heart of the show. We no longer watch. Sorry – -debbie is a nice person, but she doesn’t have the same warmth and relatibility that christian had. It just isn’t the same. Any chance you would re-consider? Sounds like you have lost a LOT of viewers since making this wrong decision! And isn’t it all about ratings? You made a HUGE mistake on this one!!
I love Home & Family but I’m so sorry Cristina is no longer a host. I looked because Cristina was an example of what all your women viewers look like. Wakeup guys we’re not toothpick skinny,and we have lots of history on this life. Who is at the desk? Look around we’re curve, older, grown children …the list goes on. What happened to the new DIY winner? Oh that’s OK .it was also just a joke your playing on us.
I really liked the show with Christina on it ….. Now with Debbie, it just seemed forced and not a HOME AND FAMILY FEE . … I loved the flare Christina brought to the show ….. It’s True, they let the younger ppl take over everything….. Not always a good idea….. I can’t bare to watch the show anymore …..
They should have gotten rid of Mark. Christine was so real and sincere. Mark seem so fake and disingenuous. Don’t watch it anymore and probably never will again.
I have been a fan of Christina’s, since she graced the cover and pages of Vogue magazine .
I think she was the draw of the show….at least for me, and I say this as a Greek American.
Her replacement is a lovely woman, but I have my own list of family recipes.
Christins carried that show……I won’t be watching anymore.
How very sad Christina is no longer there! She did not make the show, I feel all the cast did a wonderful job. However, I strongly agree with Melanie, she was the heart of the show. Why would Home & Family tear the heart out! She is a class act. Sincere, Loving, Kind, Crafty, Christian beautiful lady! Shame on Home & Family. Please bring her back!
She was the heart of the show, Mark is too much like Debby, they’re like twins! I could relate to Christina, I haven’t watched since Christina left and won’t
I am so sorry to see Christine gone.. Hallmark you do not treat family the way you did Christine.. I wish you all the best and God love ya..
Christine you made the show I felt like I was part of your family… You made everyone so comfortable and at ease..at this point I have watched a few shows and Deb does not have it .. So I will find other things to do with my time..
Again God bless you Christine He has better plans for you..
I really loved the show, but will not continue watching. Let’s be honest most of the time you watch a show because you connect with the hosts or actors. She was the heart of the show and I have watched it since she left and it no longer appeals to me.
I will no longer watch home and family. Christina is the best.