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 was very unhappy to see that Christina is no longer on the show. She has a lot of caring and shows it on the show. She is sadly missed as far as I am concerned. I agree with the other comments that the constant interuptions get a little annoying. I know my interest in the show has lost it’s “Luster”. Hope to hear and see more of Christina in the future….Much success to you. You’ll always get my vote.
It is the worst thing that Hallmark has done. Getting rid of Christina has made Hallmark look bad. Debbie is not good enough to fill Christina’s shoes. I will no longer be watching. You really need to look at the situation with new eyes.
Whats wrong with this world?? Can’t anyone do anything right any more?? So let me ask you H&F…..if thousands of viewers are happy with your show…….why did you change it? I guess you didn’t know you had a good thing when you had it….meaning Cristina!! Can’t anybody work things out??? The trendy thing is….if you can’t work it out…..then run away…like a coward. Sorry…. but Debbie doesnt do your show any justice. Your decision to replace Cristina with Debbie is hurting your show tremendously!! What’s with Debbie’s “little girly prissiness” anyway?? Can she not just be herself?? How plastic! Sorry… Read more »
Just tuned in to H&F today only to find out that Cristina is gone! What a mistake. I feel that she added class and was such a genuine person that her role in the show is what kept me watching. I like Debbie but only in her previous role as a small segment contributor. The show feels “forced” to me now and I can’t help but wonder if they are trying to appeal only to a younger crowd. Very disappointing. I won’t be tuning in anymore.
So sad to loose such a wonderful host for the show. I’m sorry but Debbie will never be able to fill Christina’s shoes at home and family. she is just to into herself for me. My days with home and family have now also ended and all my friends have expressed the same. A very dissapointed long time viewer
Hallmark we all gonna be old one day if u live lon enough .. its a shame how this sick world treats the older generation. Very disappointed , . No longer will I watch this show with that prissy butt on there. …
I can’t believe whoever made the decision to remove Christina thought it was a good idea! It was a Big mistake and I’m sure this person already regrets it. I never understood why they have a male co host considering the nature of the show. Debbie is no Christina and she always got on my nerves. Christina was the Home and Family show especially around the holidays. She is now too good for this show. I obviously don’t watch it anymore.
I would much rather watch Cristine than Debbie as co-host. it will make a difference as to how much I tune in.
I think I speak for all the fans of the show that it was the chemistry between Christina and Mark that made the show work. What on earth were the suits thinking. Debbie does not have the same finesse and nurturing personality as Christina. I think this was a big mistake. Sadly, Hallmark lost another viewer.
Home and Family was the one show I could watch and enjoy the love and friendships it embodied. Recently watching, I’ve noticed a sense of silliness and ‘trying too hard’ – it seems fake, not heartfelt. I continued to watch waiting for Cristina to return from ‘vacation’ until I read today, she was fired! Huge mistake, the warmth, compassion, and family atmosphere is gone. Instead we have individuals posing as ‘family’. SAD!! I admit everyone talking at once or not listening to each other is not appealing to me anymore. Poor decision on replacing Cristina. The show needs to appeal… Read more »
So sad!!! I have followed Christina since her days with Regis and even have “The Impossible Years” saved on my DVR. Will not be watching H/F anymore. Hope Christina returns to TV in the near future….I will be watching when/if it happens.
Sorry to hear Chistina no longer going to watch! Debbie NOOOOO Ferrare was the show… Complete package 🙁
Cristina was the heart of the Home and Family show. I was able to convince numerous people to start watching Home and Family because of her involvement. She is real, genuine, and full of class. While Mark had his moments, for the most part I put up with Mark to be able to watch Cristina. The sad thing is that whenever Debbie was a contributor on Home and Family, it was painful to watch. I eventually started to fast forward through her useless segments. She is fake and annoying. I was upset enough when I thought Debbie was just filling… Read more »
I will never watch Home & Family again, What a huge mistake the network made. Christina added a lot of “class” to the show, Shame on you Woody, you and Mark are losers!!
So disappointed that Christina is gone. Why not replace the fellow?. He adds very little to the program. Christina can partner with anyone & the show would be a delight. Not much to look forward to on the Home &Family program. Sad.
I was shocked to find Christina gone. She was versatile, intelligent, personable, attractive, and her mature presence gave refinement to the show. it is a shame that people are discarded like ‘yesterday’s news’! This is the world we live in where feelings, heart, and concern for others is irrelevant. Why do that to a woman who was welcoming, humorous, and social to her peers and guests. Who makes these decisions anyway?!! Home & Family, you lost my respect!! How thoughtless are you! How inconsiderate to do what dysfunctional family members might do to each other! You should change your name… Read more »