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?
Ok I will be more moderate though this is a free country where freedom of speech is allowed by law, I found my comment moderate considering the president elections thus us a mild comment here is another one for you . Hallmark are you owned by Fox because your mission statement surely reflects their mission statement as a senior citizen and not financially able to get plastic surgery and look young again I will not be watching your show. It has to be dedicated to young mothers good luck to you Hallmark
It was very wrong to let Christina go. To me she was the mother of home & family and will be so missed. Younger does not make better when will you people ever learn, if it is not broken don’t fix it.
I agree with most of the posts I read. Cristina made the show. She made me feel like part of the family and that the show wasn’t a job for her and by association for Mark and the other regulars.
Big mistake, Hallmark…Bring Christina back…your young co hosts fail at their job…will pass right by Home and Family now, nothing worth watching there anymore…
Hello I like Christina it is so distressful to realize that after 40 you are considered retirement material. Youth prevails. Yes the show should be cancelled I guess as you are getting old death is you only outlet for happiness.
Have tried to stay loyal and watch off & on through July. Ugh…Not the same! Christina had a charm and soft wit that just put the viewer at ease. Truly like visiting her home. Debbie is sweet. But not gifted in hospitality & entertaining. In this day and age we want the real deal! Relaxed and authentic personality. We don’t get it enough in this plastic culture. Mark has it! But sadly Debbie does not! She is wonderful & bubbly! But better suited elsewhere. We all have different gifts! The formula has changed, and I’ll pass. Thx for the good… Read more »
I really like Debbie and as a woman in my early thirties who also has small children, I can relate to her. I’m actually watching more regularly than I did before.
It’s nice that you can relate to Debbie as a mother, BUT Christina was not only the ultimate wife, mother and friend to all, she was also A GRANDMOTHER. And we need our Grandmothers in our lives to preserve our Heritage. Exactly what can Debbie teach you about the past? All she knows is “Greek”.
Hope you continue to watch H&F with Debbie as you are one out of many who actually like her.
She is not in my viewing future. I AM NOT ONLY A GRANDMOTHER, BUT ALSO A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER.
Gwendolyn H
I will no longer watch “Home and Family.” Cristina was the glue to this show. She made everyone around better than they are. She is a warm person that truly show she cares for everyone on the show. The new hostess just doesn’t cut it filling Cristina’s shoes. Even Mark is not at his best. Sorry Hallmark I am truly a Hallmark Channel fan, but you made a big mistake by leaving Cristina out of this show. She was the show.
I agree with all the posts. Cristina added her calming and witty personality to the show. I will no longer watch Home and Family and will only wtch special movies on Hallmark. I don’t agree with the executives of Hallmark. Another example of replacing experience with age. It never works.
I also started watching home&family because of Cristina but it is family and I would rather it be Debbie that took her place than a non family member….will miss you Cristina you were so family oriented so sweet and caring…god bless you and your family.I will keep watching the show daily Xxxooo
I am a lady in my 60’s who is sick and tired of beautuful older women being replaced by younger women because you guys think we have little or no value. Christina has more intrinsic integrity, good character, grace, natural beauty and wisdom in her little finger than this Debbie person has in her entire body. Congrats, you just lost another viewer!
I switched from watching The Today Show to H&F because of Cristina . She has a warmth and caring personality that draws viewers in. Lost me and now I’m back watching Hoda and Kathy.
Home and Family? Who’s running this show? Some executive with no heart. I’m out of here.
All the fake and forced smiles in the world can’t hide the truth. Home and Family, you blew it!
Hallmark, you made a BIG mistake in firing the heart of Home And Family. She was the main draw for many, many viewers. She had a warmth and sincerity about her that made her loved by many. Deb just isn’t doing it. She’s very obnoxious, phony, pushy and overbearing. Deb has this nasty habit of interrupting, talking over others (including guests) and doing all these little tricks to draw attention to herself. Christine didn’t have to do any of that. She just naturally drew people to her. I am just one MORE viewer that you have lost. PS. I was… Read more »