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?
It is very unfortunate that I just found out that Christina is gone from Home & Family. I too had to google to find out the news. Everyday I have been turning on Home and Family and wondering why she wasn’t there. This was the worst decision for the show! Christina brought warmth, class, maturity, family values, and so much Love!! I am 30 and would much rather watch Christina than Debbie. Debbie talks way too fast and sometimes seems spastic, I feel she did better with her past part on the show. The show isn’t the same anymore without… Read more »
Debbie you make me dizzy. Don’t move so much. I tried to watch the show and you left my head spinning. Don’t take in sugar hours before casting. Its hurting Hallmark.
I was so saddened to hear about Cristina leaving the show, and seeing her replacement. Cristina was a real classy lady, with dignity and strong faith and family ties. Thought that was what your show was all about !!!!!!! Like so many other things in our society, values and convictions seem to be taking a back seat to money and self gratification. Cristina was genuine, and sincere, and it was so easy to relate to her. Don’t see that now, with present co-hosts, and I won’t be watching it anymore. Hallmark has always been one of my favorite channels, and… Read more »
I am SO disappointed in Home and Family!! I like Mark, but Christina was THE Show!! I think Woody and other decision makers blew it!! I won’t be watching unless you bring Christina back!!!!!!
I am very bummed, disappointed, and sad that Christina is not on Home and Family anymore! She was probably the BEST thing going on the show. The chemistry between her and Mark was awesome! I can’t imagine why “the powers that be” would ever let her go. I know this will definitely change the frequency in my watching the show. Cristina embodied the whole message of the the show….Home and Family! She was as good as they get! This show was so important to me, because my sister, who is now deceased, introduced me to the show when I would… Read more »
I am so sorry to see her gone. She made the show. She had such high morals and. I pray this is not the reason they let her go. It seems that tv is taking all programs off that even mention that they are Christian. I never thought that the hallmark channel would do that. I pray that is not the reason
I will miss Christina.. I think she was excellent in her role as co-host. Hallmark execs made a terrible decision to replace her. Debbie is a good fill in person, not full time. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
I don’t usually watch H & F, but I went on today because the hunky actor Victor Webster was on, while watching I kept wondering where Cristina was? So of course I Googled and found this article along with several other articles of her departure from the show. I must note that I have never been a big fan of Debbie’s interviewing style, I saw her years ago on The View and she was just trying too hard, seeing her today, I thought maybe she’d mellow with age, but she is still trying too hard. For Example: Watching the “craft”… Read more »
I think it is a shame that Christina was replaced by Debbie. Christina was someone I could relate with. Although she was beautiful, she was a mother with grown children and she did not have a model perfect body. She was REAL! And I miss her.
Since Christina has left for what ever reason, I too have moved on……….She was the show. End of Subject….I wish Her well and pray that God will open up a new and brighter Door than the one She was asked to leave. God bless Christina for making the show on of the Best…..
Don’t care to watch Home and Family anymore without Christina. Christina made the show welcoming and comfortable. The new host seems to be more interested in showing her body????
The first time around you got rid of the guy host & the show eventually ended. Now you got rid of the heart of the show & the same thing will follow. Start all looking for new jobs.
There’s a reason Debbie was let go from The View. She is nice and pretty but rather silly, lacks substance, and doesn’t appear to know enough about a variety of subjects. The one thing she has going for her is that she is younger than Cristina, and it seems a lot of the TV shows think if they play current music so loud that you can barely understand the show’s intro and if they have younger guests and hosts that it will make for a No. 1 program for the network. That’s not necessarily so. At least not for me.… Read more »
I am a 54yr old woman & I watched the original show when it was on also. The show now will be for young women & not reflect the older crowd. I am not happy & might not watch. Big mistake in letting her go – she is the show!
I will not watch Home & Family anymore. I’m very disappointed that you took Cristina Ferrare off the show. Most of the people watching the show are older during the day & we liked seeing Christina. Until you decide to bring her back I won’t be watching.
I have missed Christina. Show not the same. I don’t enjoy it any more.