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?
No, I will not be watching the show. The friendship between Cristina & Mark was much warmer. I loved watching her food preps. She was a classy lady. I have watched the show twice since Cristina’s departure but it has lost its appeal to me. No longer a fan.
I feel the decision to remove Christina was harsh and not very productive for the show. Christina was down to earth and gave the show a very homey feeling. She made you want to watch each day. Debbie is annoying. She tries so hard to be likeable to everyone ,and comes off very FAKE. Maybe if she didn’t try so hard, she might become more likeable.
Well I never felt Cristina fit in until she was gone. It’s like knocking off the family head getting rid of grandma. She brought structure. And there was a connection between the two old host that isn’t there now. Big mistake. You removed Family change your name to House and Whoever.
In the midst of all the sadness and disappointment we are all feeling, your comment is so funny – I love the new name of the show “House and Whoever”. Thank you – we all needed a good laugh!
So disappointed. I have no interest in the show.
I will no longer be watching Home and Family without Cristina. I came back daily to see if she had returned. Not seeing her I turned the channel. Sorry Hallmark, you made a mistake.
I will no longer be watching Home and Family without Cristina. I kept waiting for her to return and would turn the channel not seeing her. Sorry Hallmark you made a mistake.
They assumed we watched for Mark, but I watched for Cristina. Debbie is a great person but only has one gear.
Stopped watching Home & Family without Cristina. Hypocritical for a show with that name to fire a lovely host.
I think that Debbie is constantly interrupting other when they are trying to talk/ present their portion or goal of the show. Because of the her interrupting and jumping into conversations or instructions, I feel that some of the content of the conversation and information is getting lost to the viewers.
As other comments have noted, I am so thrilled that everyone is still upset with the terrible and unfair decision Hallmark made in firing Cristina and making their voices heard! Hallmark really must have thought that all of the regular “old” viewers wouldn’t care much about a new cohost and that we would just get over it. They were wrong and I am so insulted by the way the network treated Cristina and the loyal fans of the show that I cut up my Hallmark gold crown card and will find another source for cards, etc. During the showing of… Read more »
Cristina was that show. Debbie has always got on my nerves.
I stopped watching Home & Family after I heard they put Debbie in for Cristina. I loved the show but what Hallmark and the producers at Home & Family did was despicable.
I feel Hallmark Channel made a poor decision. Look at your audience and viewers and listen to them. They resonated with Christine and who can relate to Debbie with her perfect hair, tone arms and over-zealous personality. Her voice is annoying and she always interjects and interrupts her guests. She is over-powering the show and I do not feel that they have chemistry. Christine was a great host whom America loved. Bring her back!
Why are the networks so hung up on youth STILL in our society. I thought Hallmark would be different and embrace age as a quality and not a disability!
The name Home and Family will not be the same without the joy of Christina’s presence. Why are we a society that more often than not excludes others!
I have been a consistent viewer of the Hallmark channel because of it’s heart caring programs….I think differently now
and will not be watching any longer.
Amen! Christina brought class, something that Debbie does not have. Hallmark missed the Mark on this. Also, Tanya Memmie, not spelled correctly, is sorely missed!
You claim your a family but you booted her out, what’s up with that? Your not a family! There just employees waiting to step up to replace the next person booted out. The show is just not the same any more!