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?
So sorry to see that Cristina will know longer be on Home and Family
It won’t be the same
Letting you go was not a good move now I have no one to relate to on the show and Debbie is very self absorbed wants most of the attention cant relate to her
too cutsie
I watched the show sometimes and like it although it can be a bit contrived at times. Christina was an honest and real voice on the show. I found her refreshing.
How long will it take to decide whether a moderated comment will be posted (approximately)? If it contained no derogatory comments is there ANY CONCEIVABLE reason it shpuld not be posted?
Ok, so how about; “Comment readers; please check at the imdb website to see that Matenopolis has been “let go” of prior hosting positions.”
I know you’re right about Debbie – wasn’t she in the View? I hate being this way but I have never liked her and I loved Christina. I liked that this was an apolitical show .. I’m progressive and I know lots of fans weren’t but she appealed to us all – I’m so sad!
So now I see a new guest host. Hmm… Looks like some additional changes are in the works. Hey networks, did ypu ever consider that the Baby Boomers are a HUGE segment of the population now with disposable income and that older hosts are fine (and preferred at times) with us. Keep the same set, just run a second show geared for babyboomers and reinstate the prior hosts.
I don’t know why Home and Family felt they needed to get rid of Christina; she is a bright and lively personality–just what a co-host should be. I hope better opportunities are in store for her.
I think Cristina was part of the Family in Home and Family. I don’t find
it as warm as it was.
I have nothing against the new host Debbie I’ve enjoyed her sharing when she
is on the show but she’s a bit off as a host she seems to have a bolder personality and takes over or talks over a bit to much.
I am so glad that she is gone. I feel like that she always acted like she was better then most. She never could read a card that she didn’t mess up on, she always wanted to make people think that she was younger then what she was. Never wanted to wear her glasses because they made her look older. And she could never Keep her hands off of mark, no matter what they was doing. He was always having to cover for her. Now Debbie is not my favorite person but I do like her better then the older… Read more »
Really?
Hi JO
and you knew all this about Cristina cause ???? Evidently your eyes are not working so well, cause if anyone has constantly got their hands all over mark, touch and feely it is Debbie… put your glasses on please and watch tomorrows show…
Every one’s perception is different. Jo H. it seems like you view her actions as being inappropriate. I on the other hand view them being , warm, caring & loving. Also she like many other women, is fighting the aging process. Just because you are a certain age, doesn’t mean we have to let our hair go grey, gain tons of weight , don’t wear make up to the point of letting yourself go. If anything I think she is showing women how to take care of themselves. I remember one show they taped her early & she had rollers… Read more »
I too agree, BIG MISTAKE. I would record shows daily and watch on my days off. Enjoyed, but won’t do that anymore. Won’t be watching show anymore.
I like Christina and Debbie, but I see no reason for Christina to leave. She was a beautiful spark in the morning! I will still watch, but miss Christina!
I like Christina but felt she was not a good fit for the show. It felt like Mark was on tv with his mother. Not a bad thing but it just didn’t fit the projects, market and type of programming that was on the air. I wish Christina was still on the show with her own segment that had more to do with family gatherings when one has adult children and grandchildren.
I will no longer watch the show ! Cristina is more relatable and reaches a bigger demographic audience than Debbie. Sorry Hallmark but you really blew it!
I was excited to read this! I’m not a fan of Christina, she always annoyed me and had a tendency to interrupt people and felt very self-centered to me. I didn’t like the way she called people down and acted like a condescending matriarch. Debbie is more energetic without being over-the-top and self-centered, and I feel she and Mark complement each other better. I’ll be watching Home & Family more now!
If Barbara Walters fired Matenopolis off The View when it first began, I suspect it was for a good reason and it says something about Debbie’s character. Do any of us REALLY change our core personality?
Big mistake! Cristina offered a natural down to earth side to the show. She was totally herself and likeable . Debbie does not come across a natural at all. She is more concerned about being in the shot than what is going on. I am so disappointed in H & F. The change has definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. I will find something else to watch.