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?
Christina was the heart of the Home & Family show.Hallmark really was stupid for not seeing this. Home & family is not a show for the younger crowd, they really don’t watch it !!! It is for the more mature audience. Without Christina you might as well take the show off. As for me and my friends & family we will NO LONGER watch the show!!! I feel like the rest of the cast as well as the management all put knives in Christina’s back!!! ” Love YOU Christina ” and wish you much success in your career.
Big mistake! What TV idiot made this decision….SHE was the only reaso we watched. Wonder how long Debbie has before she will be replaced. With this decision WE and many in our families will not be watching.
I am so sad to what was “DONE TO CRISTINA”. Why networks feel they know better “before” asking their audience. I tried to watch it with the new co-host and I won’t be watching any more. Sorry, but Hallmark really messed this one up. Cristina was so refreshing and for those of us that are older, we loved her. You had an audience of 13 years to 80 because of Cristina. My granddaughter doesn’t like the show anymore, either. You lost a viewer.
finally an answer Why did you do this. Christina replaced another girl and we were not given an answer. I love Christina Ferrare, Debbie will never be as good as Christina. This was a huge mistake More than likely, you thought that
it should be someone younger, but a lot of us appreciated that you had someone
like Christina that could relate to the majority. Debbie sucks, I like her as an entertainment reporter, but not here.
Also upset about this decision….this was the only daytime show that i could stand to watch and now Hallmark has ruined it. Will not be watching.
Glad to see that Home and Family finally decided to get rid of Christina. She was always interrupting any cook who they had on the show. You could see she kept watching herself on monitor, then adjusting her smile and adjusting her pose, it was disgusting. I am so glad to see that Paige Hemmis is finally dressing appropriately! Keep up the good work home and family, I watch you daily!
I was sad when Page Davis, the original co-host left. Didn’t watch for awhile but the show’s content kept me tuning in and I’m glad new co-host is closer in age to her co-host. KUDOS to Mark for rolling with the punches he makes anyone look good. I’ll be watching more often again to see if Debbie can fill Page’s shoes.
I think what they did to christine really sucks and the new co-host debbbie isn’t nearly as good as chris! she comes off as a i can do it better than you and she don’t let the guests finish their projects before she jumps in to help them finish and i think they know better than her how to do it!! Home and family is starting to really suck and i do watch virtually everyday! It really upsets me with the week of christmas in july as if they don’t have enough xmas programs during december when they cut off… Read more »
I’m so sorry to hear that Miss Christina was fired! Wake up Hallmark we are all getting older! This show is for everyone Young and Old! Miss Christina is a classic and did a great job! Before you get rid of our favorite people why not ask us, leave marketing to the commercials!
Not a fan anymore
Whoever dressed Christina should have been fired for dressing her like an old lady. Thought husband head of network did he not have say..you should have done the dirtybdeed differently.
I thought that Cristina was on vacation because I had been out of town for 2 weeks & missed the shows during that time. I don’t care for Debbie as her replacement. The chemistry between Debbie & Mark isn’t there like it was with Cristina. I will be looking for another morning show to watch now. I watched it every morning. Cristina & Mark gave the show a heart & feelings that are gone now. Cristina made the show feel homey. She didn’t dress in skin tight clothes or wear 6″ heels like Debbie does. I can only take Debbie… Read more »
I will miss her. The show is not the same with her gone. ; (
Christina made H & F along with Mark & Debbie. I just tuned in again today and that since of FAMILY is gone Woody. What is this another entertainment show only for the a.m.?
BOO To home to home and family, Christina was the best on there. I will not be watching anymore!!