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 not watching this show either!! Christina was the light of this show!! Her connection with Mark was platonic, its was playful and Mark and the show will miss her greatly!! Debbie does not do it for me. She loud and not have the common sense that Christina has!!! I’ll miss the show!!!
Cristina you are the reason why I watch home and family I would dvr you everyday. It’s not the same.
I do not watch Home and Family any longer I can not take Debbie as co-host she has a loud mouth and she inputs herself in any conversation she has to get all the attention .. I have left my tv on hallmark channel all day till 6pm not I turn it when golden girls go off I think a huge mistake has been made!!!
I miss Cristina. She was one of the reasons I watched the show. She is close to my age, so I could relate to her. I’m not sure I will like the show as much, so far I am on the fence.
I think it is horrible that they let her go because of her age, she took over after the last cohost left, and she babied Mark as he was so upset, she is by far the best cohost that show will ever have,I think I will stop watching the show.
I thought Christina was on vacation or recovering from surgery. I went to yOur website and discovered she had been fired. WHY?? She gave the family feel to Home and Family.. Don’t care for Debbie for two hours. Couldn’t you try to fix what you thought was broke? Just not the same without Christina!!
The show is not the same without Christina. Debbie is a great person on the red carpet scene, but not for Home and Family. No real chemistry going on between her and Mark. They just don’t mesh as well as Christina and Mark did.
Not a good idea she was the show Mark was alright but she carried him! Debbie is no Cristina by any means and the show will not last!! No I will not watch any more, watched a couple and not good not the energy Cristina gave to the show or the class she brought. Bad chose Harmark!
I continue to watch Home and Family, but not daily as I did when Cristina was co-host. She truly made me feel like part of the family. The warmth felt by watching the show has disappeared. I liked Debbie very much in her previous role, but she is no Cristina. Hallmark and Hallmark Mysteries and Movies are the most watched channels in my home. Woody, if this was your decision I am very disappointed in your judgement. Hallmark, you had a good thing going……why mess it up. Shame on you.
Shame on you Woody
Am so sad Christena will not be on the show. I will not watch it any more. She gave the show class.
I miss Cristina so much. Ever now and then I turn on the show to see if it has just been a bad dream. It isn’t a bad dream just a nightmare.
I thought she did a super job…I love Debbie…but why would you do this to such a terrific host….sad for her and for fans….
I have tried and tried but Debbie is just too full of herself and mark thinks his is so funny but is truly rude. Goodbye home and family
Mark is an idot without Christina. Meant to say, so full of himself, and I am so sad without Christina.
I have enjoyed Cristina Ferrare as co-host since the very first Home and Family and am disappointed that the higher ups went another direction. I have never been a fan of her replacement and does not have the credibility or the warmth that Ms Ferrare. Thoroughly disappointed.
I will no longer watch Home and Family Cristina was the talent!
The show is not the same without Cristina. I have watched since she has been gone but miss her and don’t look forward to tuning in now.
I’m glad I won’t have to see the horny old woman making passes at Mark anymore! I wanted to tell her to put it back in her pants and take her hormone pills! I like Debbie so much better.
Put “it” back in her pants? Such ignorant words coming from an ignorant, uneducated animal. How trashy you are. You, for sure, would fit right in with the two horn toads squatting on those stools now. If anyone is making passes at self centered Mark, it would be equally self centered Debbie. By the way, the old man is 51.
Name calling comments will be deleted? What does this site call this? Horny old woman, put “it” back in her pants? Trashy comments allowed, just not in replies. Seems it’s one sided here.