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?
OMG! I just find out about Cristina in the mid time I was watching the show and waiting for Cristina to come back ( I thought she was on vacation and still thinking something have to be wrong, can’t be so long vacation) . Debbie is ridiculous, she doesn’t have maturity, she doesn’t know how to make question, really she doesn’t match at all; and of course I WON’T WATCH THE SHOW ANYMORE.
I loved watching the show BECAUSE Christina Ferrare was the host of Home and Family. She was someone to emulate and was so perfect for that show. I wish she would go back, but if not, then I hope she will do another show that is similar.. So talented!
I love home and family, I miss Christina I know Mark is missing her too, they had lightening in a bottle , No disrespect to Debbie…but it is not the same show…Enjoy your retirement you deserve it.
Cristina has been delightful. If she was let go because of age, I can only say she is beautiful and deserved a more graceful ending. My life is changing right now, but if it hadn’t I would not have watched the show anymore. It’s hypocritical to represent home and family and then let go of a woman because she is older. That is not much of a family, now is it?
Its a shame that Hallmark is sexist and discriminatory just like all the other stations. I thought they were better than that but I guess I was wrong. Just look at the fluff movies they show now. Big mistake letting Christina go and I sure won’t be watching anymore. I never liked Mark when he was on ET and I am sure he had a lot to do with this firing once again. He and Debbie deserve each other along with Hallmark.
I will not be watching the show. Firing a person because they are to old!! Who’s the producer?
This show is to much,take a look a Debbie looking at the camera!!! And again, If you go buy this it’s cost so so much. Really .Elena
Hello, You have the gall to fire Chriistina. Christina and Sophie are the only ones I like and I watched the show for. Mark sucks and rest think there hot stuff but no. I will never watch this stupid show again never. You take the best one there except for Sophie ants leave the jerks. Well I will be praying for the show to get cancelled. Sophie if I am spelling your name wrong forgive me, you are very good at what you do. God Bless you and Christina you to should do your own show it sure would be… Read more »
I was so shocked that Hallmark Home and Family fired Christina Ferrare! I guess they really had no idea how lovely, gracious, caring ,talented, real, honest,funny, heart warming, encouraging, and I could go on forever about her character. She would never hurt anyone. Mornings are really hard for me, but when I saw her beautiful smiling face in the morning, it always lifted my spirits. Her honesty about anything and everything in her life was very rare and refreshing,unlike most phonies in Hollywood! I really thought I had found an honorable channel and show, but I guess I was so… Read more »
I am deeply saddened by Christine’s departure and so suddenly. I followed the show because of Christine, she was the heart and soul of that show. She is filled with an innate warmth and love that radiated to the audience and made me feel that I was part of the “family”. I have not and will not watch the show again. I do not wish to belong to a family that would hurt another member as you have done.
I was sad to hear of Christina leaving the show. She is the reason that I watched. Beautiful woman and of the same generation as myself. I have tried to watch since her departure but Mark and Debbie just seem a little too full of themselves. No depth or warmth to show.
I have stopped watching Home and Family since Cristina left. I have stopped following the show and all the people on it on social media. Hallmark made a stupid decision. I am so happy that Cristina and Maria are making such informative and fun videos each week on Facebook. Those two need to do a tv show—NOT on the Hallmark channel!!
Christina will be dearly missed!!!!!! She brought warmth, charm, sincerity, humor, pleasant voice, and life experience to the show. The saying, “she was everybody’s friend,” fit the persona Christina brought to your program. She will be dearly missed.
I watched the show faithfully (and sometimes my favorite parts twice) because you had a wonderful mix of hosts. Each one brought different qualities, and Debbie has been delightful too…….but you have eliminated one of the best parts of your cast. It will be tough replacing Christina.
Thanks!
I have not, nor will I ever watch Home and Family again. Christina was on the original show which I faithfully watched and was so excited that she replaced Paige on the new version however, this latest move of Hallmark really stinks. Debbie is okay, but she is NOT CHRISTINA, who was the heart of this show. Sorry Home and Family, you lost one faithful fan. Oh, and by the way, Kim watch your back, you can’t trust Hallmark, you may just have the same fate as Christina.
Cristina,I miss seeing you in Home and Family. Is not the same without you.God bless you, Cristina is the best host for this show please bring her back.