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 think it is a huge loss to the show! I will not watch any longer. I liked her because she was lovely and more my age than Debbie. Big sad mistake Hallmark! You should be ashamed.
I wondered what happened to Cristina. I miss her and the show is not the same. Debbie does not make me feel welcome as Cristina did. She was Home and Family. Bring her back.
I too will not watch the show anymore. Do not care for Debbie as a co-host. What did Christina do so wrong?
I know! I can’t imagine why they fired her except maybe the thought it would help with a younger demographic! Hey – who’s home now?! Retired women and women with babies who appreciate a grandma figure!!
I do not care for Debbie at all as a co-host. Christina was the star Wil not watch anymore.
I am sorry she is gone i kept waiting for her to return,thought she was on vacation but it seem too long so today just found out, i am sad to see her go,a beautiful women, i am not sure if i will continue to watch,miss you Christine
Shame on you Hallmark, you show Christian shows but you certainly don’t act like it, Christina was perfect for the show, I feel you let her go because of her age, which is discrimination.
I’m sorry to see Christina gone. Debbie is good on a fill-in basis. I don’t feel she has the personality to hold the show together. She has a more scattered effect. I have enjoyed the show for many years but have not so much in recent weeks. I get a feel of a clicky girls club with the remaining women. I also miss Tanya and the Matts (the one left for family health and that is understandable – Have not seen the other in some time (guess it might be because I quit watching on a regular basis a few… Read more »
I don’t normally write online comments but I am so very disappointed. This was my favorite show on television! Debbie is a nice person but she is not Christina. The energy of the program has totally changed. There is nothing now that distinguishes it from other talk shows. Now that I know this, I will be cancelling my daily DVR recordings and viewing. Hallmark has made a grave mistake. So sad that the show has lost the beautiful warm personality that Christina brought to the mix. Praying that Christina will find another format where she can contribute. When that happens,… Read more »
I totally agree with Susan berg & Julie. Christina made the show work. its just another talk show type show. Hallmark was wrong on this change.
How can Hallmark think that Debbie is a more likable choice for a co-host over Christina??? Christina was the down to earth, girl next door co host. Whereas Debbie is the more snobby type girl that most likely wouldn’t give you the time of day if you ever met her outside the show. She seems nice, but it’s almost a forced or scripted type of “nice”. Christina just was always happy and had that sincere persona that everyone loved. She will be sorely missed by me and many others as well, I’m sure. I don’t know if I will continue… Read more »
I just learned that Christine is not coming back. I have been waiting for her return. My quess is they are pandering to a younger audience.. Now the show just seems silly to me. Christine added class to the show. She was the family element. Hallmark you lose!
I love the show, well did, I no longer will watch it. Mark and Christina made the show. Sorry to leave it and I feel Hall Mark has made a huge mistake. I always watch Hall Mark movies 24/7, they may have to change. Debbie was good in what she did, but she is go host material. Sorry to have to Good bye.
I am so sorry that you let Christina go. I do like Debbie but I do not feel she adds to the show. I will not be watching the show anymore.
For the past several weeks I have been wondering what was happening with Christina…..I never thought that she would have been let go.Chris also kept the show moving along, was a wonderful host & in my opinion a great leader who will be missed terribly This is a bad move on hallmark. Home & Family because she is truly a part of the family !!! Debbie did great in her former position, but isn’t HOST material!! Christina you will be missed every time I watch the show, that is if I don’t turn it off……
I have not watched since Christine left and am very upset that she left.Shame on you Home and Family
I stopped watching Home and Family when I read that Christina was fired and not returning to the show. You took the name family out when you fired Christina.. I do not have any plans to watch ever again. The atmosphere is not the same and friendly anymore. That was the only show I truly looked forward to watching, I have never written into any show of any nature about cast members or shows. It is that the quality of tv viewing is not fit for our children today let alone adults. This show was a ray of sunshine for… Read more »