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?
Hallmark dropped the Waltins and now Christina. Very sad. They are not who they pretend to be at this channel.
Don’t get to watch as much in the summer months as in winter, so hadn’t seen show since Christine’s departure until today. Debbie M. seems to be a very lovely person, but she doesn’t cut it as a co-host. She comes across as continually wanting to be the center of attention, i.e. interrupting guest, interjecting her thoughts, etc. She needs to stop focusing on herself and making sure her interview revolves around her guest. Most importantly she needs to learn to just LISTEN. I sincerely hope she acquires these necessary tools in time. As for now, I have no desire… Read more »
I used to be a very loyal Hallmark person for a long time. NO MORE. Christina’s presence was the highlight of the show. If her wonderful smile, great personality, talent, and her ability to connect with not only her co-host but everyone wasn’t enough for Hallmark then they aren’t the wholesome family show they would like people to think they are. It was the best show ever but now it is dull and lifeless. Oh and thanks Hallmark for not caring about us older people. You too will someday be in that position.
I AM, however, happy to have her write that she is NOT sick.
Awhile back, she had some issues about her pancreas and all I could think of is my mom’s battle and death from that cancer!
Debbie and her crying are NOT what I signed up for when I became a faithful viewer.
I remember when this was on when my kids were born (25 years ago) and was SO happy to see it was back!
Now that I know Cristina’s demise, I am no longer going to be a faithful viewer!!
I’ll miss Christina. She was such an asset to the show. She was a geat co-host with Mark; they were so much fun to watch. I’ll probably still watch the show but it’s not the same.
There was a reality about the show with Cristina. She seemed genuine and was not hyper like Debbie. I enjoyed watching Cristina who is closer to my age and has had life experiences I can relate to. I tried to watch the show several times after she left, but it’s just not appealing anymore. On a positive note, since I’ve turned off the tv during that time slot, I’m getting a lot of reading done!
I was so sad that Cristina Ferrari was no longer on the Home & Family show loved her contribution to the show. Now I’m very angry to find out that she was fired.I just can’t stand to watch the show without Cristina as the hostess-the main centerpiece. She is a classy lady.the person who’s great idea it was to fire her…should be let go! I will not watch Home & Family on a regular basis if at all, any longer.
It seems so ironic that a show called Home and Family which constantly tells the audience how much the cast adores each other would fire the matriarch of the family. Losing Cristina will eventually be the demise of the series. Someone has not recognized what demographic would include the majority of viewers.
Really miss Christina on Home and Family. Just can’t watch much of it, I am very upset about her departure. I can’t believe how Mark is sooo…… unaffected by her departure. Christina was the BEST. NO ONE can replace her. I will be watching Rachel Ray in mornings instead.
I agree. Debbie is NO replacement for her. I thought she was just taking an incredibly long vacation. How sad.
Another thought…Now that we know Christina is gone for good it seems funny watching the show the past few weeks…..was wondering why everyone wasn’t talking about Christina trying to keep her filled in on what was going on at the show…. (like what happens normally when a cast member was on a maternity leave or vacation)..Christina was always such a big part of the whole show…she always promoted the craft projects and always seemed so genuinely excited about everything…..(she always had us wanting to run out and buy everything to duplicate the Holiday crafts on the show!! and of course… Read more »
I can’t believe Christina is not on the show I thought she was on vacation!!! Debbie is OK but you can only take her for so long not watching anymore just the series and movies so sad I feel for her but she will come back stronger I know.
Yeah ,that wasn’t cool Hallmark. Won’t be watching anymore.Age isn’t everything .
I have watched the show on and off for about 2 years now, firstly I cant Dtand Mark, the way he interrupts guests and asks such stupid questions which usually drags the guest off track of topic and I just wanna punch him sometimes and I wonder to myself if anyone else on the panel just wants to tell him to shut up! He thinks its his show! CHRISTINE made the show, she cared about the show and everyone on it. 2nd I don’t think they could have chosen a more annoying cast member to host with Mark, Seriously Debbie… Read more »
I am so sad that Christina isn’t on Home and Family anymore. I can’t watch this show anymore. It breaks my heart because she was so amazing.
Its not the same show .I thought Christina was awesome!The new girl is OK not the same vibe. To bad.