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?
If anyone needed to go it was Mark. He appears to be very conceited and always appeared to think he was better than Christina. I loved the “home” vibe that Christina gave it and was true to family Hallmark values. Don’t watch anymore. .
I like everyone on the Home and Family Show, but Christina made the “home” feel to the show. I’m not able to watch the show often and just thought Christina was on vacation, so it’s disappointing to know that she isn’t coming back. Debbie is sweet and the show will go on, but Christina will be missed.
I hate it when shows take it upon themselves to think every woman host on the show has to be a young blonde. Good bye Home and Family.
Show no longer has the “home and family” feel. Just another show.
My family and I can no longer enjoy home and family. Christina was our reason for watching the show. She was very warm and inviting. I have not been that big of a fan of Mark and certainly not Debbie. We just didn’t know much about her. It pains my family and I to see Christina gone but I guess we don’t make the decisions. I would like hallmark to know that it is NOT a welcomed change at our household.
I cannot watch Home and Family any longer. Christina made it appear to be a home and a family show, very inviting and very wholesome.
I thought Christina was on vacation or sick. Why do networks always get rid of “older “woman and replace with “younger version of her?
I like Debbie, but Christina IS Home and Family. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I just adore Christina’s beauty, sweetness, style, grace, warmth and genuineness and sincerity. What a shabby way to treat this special lady. What a disappointment the show is now that she is no longer the hostess.
Well, I feel like I was blindsided by Hallmark again today. We have Direct TV and the synopsis for today’s show said that Matt Iseman was the co-host with Mark. So I set up my DVR and was looking forward to catching up with the show since I haven’t watched it since they announced Cristina was gone and Debbie was “promoted”. When I got home from work and started watching the show for Tuesday, August 2, there was Debbie in all her glory and no Matt. I deleted the show right away and will no longer even check to see… Read more »
I may stop watching this channel as well. They are not the family oriented company that they pretend to be.
I will not watch show anymore
Christina made the show. This was a huge mistake. Hallmark is very blind to the talents of this woman. I have no interest in watching this show anymore.
I am also very sorry to hear that Christina has been replaced. All of the family members contribute to the making of the show. But I must state that Christina and Mark ARE THE SHOW!! Christina makes the show so very charismatic, genuine and classy. She appeals to those of us who are past the 20-35 year old mark, I could really relate to her. She has so much personality, charm and class that will be impossible to replace. Not sure I will continue to watch this changes the whole feel of things. I am very glad to hear she… Read more »
I agree completely! Christina appeals to those past 30 because she is one of us. She is glamorous without even trying because it comes from inside.
Debbie is not cutting it. The show is not the same. Christina was a better fit.
I suddenly realized that Christina was not on the show. I thought she was on vacation, I must admit I haven’t watched it since.