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 tuned in to Home and Family just to see Christina. Loved seeing her outfit for the day and her hairstyles. I really think her personality was so easy to relate to. She was genuine and I could relate to her. Disappointed to say the least. Tried to watch, but can’t!
It is a great loss for Home and Family and especially us as viewers. She was the highlight of my day. Always happy and full of spunk. The show will not be the same. Sorry
I DON’T THINK IT IS FAIR TO REMOVE HER BEFORE MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT. I WATCHED THE SHOW BECAUSE OF HER. I NEVER THOUGHT MARK BLENDED IN AND WAS TOO BOSSIE WITH CRISTINA. HE LOOKS BORED AND SHE IS VERY TALENTED. SHE SHOULD THINK ABOUT HAVING HER OWN SHOW AND NOT LET HER TALENT GO TO WAIST.
So, so disappointed.
Show is not the same without Cristina.
I suppose it gives me a free hour in my day
I too thought that Cristina was on vacation. I feel that you made a big
mistake releasing Cristina. Cristina was a BIG part of the show. I hope that she ends up getting her own show!
Christina WAS Home and Family, in my opinion they no longer have a program worth watching.
I totally agree! She was the glue that bound everyone together. It had that “family” feeling with Christina. The family feeling is not there anymore.
From The You’ve GOT To Be Kidding Dept: Are you seriously promoting a viewer cooking competition so soon after 86’ing H&F’s Queen of Cuisine? Way to twist the knife! BTW, how many cases of Red Bull does it take to keep remaining cast members at that annoying manic high?
Disappointed & surprised! I will be finding something else to watch to fill this time slot every day. No disrespect to Debbie, she’s obviously capable of doing the job but not filling the shoes of Cristina. Cristina had something special that was a perfect fit for a show about ‘home & family’. Not to mention the ‘feel good’ chemistry between she & Mark. Not an easy thing to find & for the show to depart from that sort of atmosphere, if you will, is a huge mistake.
I do like Debbie but no no no no I am not in favor of getting rid of Christina
I rarely take the time to post comments but I feel this is important. I love Christina and I am sad to see her go. I do not feel however, that this is the end for her. I remember a prayer that she said during Christmas that was so beautiful it showed that she is a woman of faith. I believe God has amazing things in store for her and I look forward to seeing her again on another program. As for Debbie, It may take some time for people to get used to the changes as some people don’t… Read more »
Christina was the heart of the show. I love Debbie but she doesn’t bring what Christina did. i’m changing channels.
So very sad to see Hallmark made the decision to fire Cristina.. She is the reason I watched.. She put the “family” in Home and Family with her bubbly personality.. I agree with all of the comments posted and will no longer be watching.. Not that one person not watching will make a difference to Hallmark but from the comments I read they are losing many faithful viewers.. Good luck to Cristina in whatever she chooses to do in the future.. I’m sure there will be many opportunities ahead to continue to entertain us with her talent and beauty..
i was surprised and VERY DISAPPOINTED that CRISTINA was no longer a
co-host. HER CARING came through every day, she had all the qualities needed to do a great job……i can’t imagine why execs made a decision that they did………………..sad……..
You made a big mistake, I will not watch any more without Christina
I too thought Christina was on vacation, and I tuned in every day hoping she would be back for the show. I work at home typing and used to keep it on my TV, watching all the back to back episodes of Home & Family while I work, and now I’m channel surfing trying to find something to watch. I feel letting Christina go was a huge mistake that makes no sense at all to me. I can’t make it through a full show