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 will truly miss Christina. She made the show what it was. Too much emphasis on youth. My main reason for watching the show was Christina. She was an important part of the Hallmark family. I doubt I will continue to watch. I am very disappointed in Hallmark’s decision.
That is the whole point Hallmark has missed. HOME & FAMILY!!!! THAT INCLUDES CHRISTINA F. What’s wrong with these people!!! Are they replacing Mark next?? That’s what we like about Home and Family is because it WAS like a family. DO YOU THINK YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY HOME TO WATCH THIS SHOW??? Or will record ir abd sit down at night after working and watch a 2 hour show??? No it will be all of us who are middle age or retired.
UNREAL…..Christina made that show!!!!!!
Won’t be watching anymore…..and
I’m a young person so if you were trying to go for a younger age group by replacing her with Debbie you blew it……
and all my friends have stopped watching as well….BIG MISTAKE….she was lovely
and a class act!!!!!!!!!
I enjoy the show but it seemed as though Christina was not listening to what was being said by the guests. She was interrupting them a lot. The final straw with me was when Dolly Parton said she was celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary smd Christina immediately asked her how long they had been married. At that point I looked at my husband and told him I didn’t know if I could continue watching her. I am sorry she is gone because Home and Family is such a wonderful show but she wasn’t all there most of the time. I… Read more »
Even moms make mistakes. She was just real. Glad I’m not your mom or I’d be put out in the pasture too.
I am highly disappointed that the Hallmark Channel has decided to go in this new direction. Cristina brought such warmth and authenticity to the program. She was the “family” in Home and Family. It will not be the same at all.
I am outraged, I have been watching the show since the beginning and Christian is home and family. Ado not think they are being honest about the reason but I will no longer watch the show until she is back and I am not watching the hallmark channel out of respect for christina
I believe Christina was very vital, instrumental to the H&F show with her sweet,creative personality. I’ve missed her the past few wks wondering where she has been. I thought maybe her husband, Tony, and she were on a romantic extended vaca.
Mark said the door is open and she is welcomed back anytime but how can that be if she was fired…WHY. WHY was she let go? For what reason, because she’s getting older? Everyone gets older however Christina is still beautiful, youthful and fun. Her replacement will never fill Christina’s shoes.
i think it stinks., i watched the show because i love Cristina and the show will not be the same. I do not know if i will contiue to watch wiyhout her.
I feel as though I have lost a family member!! I watched the first home and family many years ago and was saddened when it left. When the new home and family came back and they brought Christina back myself and many others were thrilled! We have watched faithfully and LOVED the chemistry with Christina and Mark. She brought a warmth and genuine love to everyone that we as viewers could feel. This should have been handled with honesty and dignity for her something the Hallmark channel portrays!! We like Debbie but to replace Christina was plain WRONG!! Woody you… Read more »
I agree 100%…so unfair. Unfair to Christina, and unfair to her fans.
What are they thinking. I have watched home and family for the last 4 years and I loved the show. But I will no longer watch it. Debbie is ok but she is not Christina. You have made a bad decision
I will no longer watch Home and family. I miss Cristina and Tanya. Think Mark is nasty at times and an egotist.
I love Christina I will not watch home and family again
I definitely feel the same. Will not be watching anymore.
I am very sad to see Cristina go. Honestly if anyone had t go I would rather it have been Mark who talks over people and thinks his pokes at people are funny but they are not. He is mean to the others on the show. I think Debbie was good with what she did but I don’t think she can handle a co-host spot. Very sad, I am done with watching Home and Family. I have tried this week to watch with an open mind but it has not been the same with Cristina gone and I had been… Read more »
I love Christina andwas sad to see her go.
I became a fan of the show last fall.
She was so adorable and will be missed.
I probably won’t be watching the show anymore. Cristina is awesome and yes her presents was great for all women over 60 watching her. Now a younger group really,!!! it will never be the same without Cristina!!!!Love her spirits, weight loss, and values plus her cooking and ideas. Everybody loves Cristina what a shame…..
I do not know if I will continue to watch Home and Family. While I have always liked Debbie, I loved Christina and have watched her for years. It is not the same show. I would like to see Christina continue to be at least a regular guest as she was a great part of the show. There is no chemistry between Mark and Debbie.