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 always watched, even sought out the show BECAUSE of Cristina Ferrare. While I like Mark and Debbie is ok, I will no longer go out of my way to watch. (I will however go out of my way to see most anything Cristina is on) There are very few people who translate their heart on to a television screen and now my favorite has left.
Sometimes the “boss” doesn’t realize what they’re doing TO the viewer when they fire an “on air” personality. This “boss” lost at least one. Bet I’m not alone.
I choose to no longer watch the Home and Family show. I felt Christina was a great fit for the role she had, but the show no longer is an interest to me. Don’t know why the thought was there should be a change. You made a mistake.
Completely shocked and deeply saddened that Cristina Ferrare is no longer Co Hosting Home and Family. Shame on you producers etc…who didn’t have the kindness to at least throw her a farewell episode!! Debbie is too hyper to watch as Cristina’s replacement. One segment is enough of her. The shows will NEVER be the same without Cristina. I have cancelled all series recordings of Home and Family. I now following Cristina on Facebook to keep up with her cooking, her family and new adventures that are coming her way. I’m so disappointed in you Woody Frazier You and fellow partners… Read more »
I too have stopped watching this show. Shame on the Home and Family powers that be that fired Christina from the show. She is one classy lady and brought some much needed class to the show. HOW SAD
So sad this decision. I have read through the comments and it is quite plain to see your organization has bumped their head. I too will no longer watch Home & Family. I loved the show and agree with the others that Cristina was very much the asset to the program. As mentioned in other posts I too apparently do not fall in the favored demographic age group and apparently our viewing preferences do not carry much weight. What is done is done! Obviously there is a vast number of people who disagree with the decision you made. It has… Read more »
I will no longer watch the show. I loved Christina she made the show. You should of got rid of Mark, he stinks.
LOL
No stopped watching. No more Hallmark for me.
Iam so glad she has been replaced. She was awful
I will no longer watch the show
I do not like Debbie. Every time she was on I’d turn it off then back on to she if’s she’s done.
I started watching home and family when Christina was on years and years ago. Then saw it again with Paige and tried, but did not care for the format. Then Cristina was coming back.. Yippee. I was a faithful watcher and taped every day. Then While the cast was in Dollywood I noticed a change in Cristina. She looked so sad and rigid. When I went back after Dollywood there was Debbie. I thought a couple of days. Then 2 weeks, I knew something was wrong. Well when Mark said Cristina was gone and Debbie was in her seat ,… Read more »
I agree that Cristina added a touch of elegance that is missing in the current show. If this happened due to friction between co-hosts, I wish the other host was the one to leave since that one adds nothing informative to any segment and was often rude to Cristina and Kym for no reason. It looks like bullying wins and that’s not something I want to watch. As an elementary school teacher I fear the negative lesson this teaches is that good people get punished. That’s a very sad thing.
Wow!!! I thought Christina was on vacation. I imagine her touring Italy. I’m going to miss her. although I like Debbie I don’t believe she’s can do as good of a job as Christina. I find her rude. Someone needs to tone down Mark. He tends to be rude to his co host and Debbie joins in. I do enjoy the co host. I find them to be talented. I feel this was a poor decision.
I don’t like it, that she is gone. I’m not watchinghome and family anymore.
I have read nearly all of the comments posted and there might have been one (maybe I missed one or two). All were against Cristina being fired. Woody–are you reviewing these, or is it just another case of not caring what the majority of the populace thinks? Of course, if I were Cristina, I wouldn’t come back if asked. I have tried again to watch the show, but have a difficult time dealing with Debbie. Mark isn’t as happy with her as he was with Cristina. More time for me to read, watch Rachael Ray and tend to my flowers.
I think it is a shame that they replaced Christina. The main theme for this show is “Home and Family”. You don’t replace Family. Thank you Christina for all the joy, love, and laughter you have given us the past four years. We love you.
Waltons