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 really tried to give H & F a chance with all of the changes, but finally had to remove it from my DVR list. It isn’t just Cristina being gone (although I loved watching her), the show just doesn’t captivate or interest me anymore. Having been a faithful watcher for many years, I was very disappointed to “let it go”.
I really tried to give H & F a chance with all of the changes, but finally had to remove it from my DVR list. It isn’t just Cristina being gone (although I loved watching her), the show just doesn’t captivate or interest me anymore. Having been a faithful watcher for many years, I was very disappointed to “let it go”.
It’s not the same with Cristina gone! I have tried to watch it and I sometimes do but most of the time I find myself turning the channel or watching only segments. I do like Debbie but in my opinion the show was much better when Cristina and Mark hosted the show instead of Mark and Debbie. They should keep Debbie on the show but put her back in the position she was in before Cristina had to leave! The show truly has changed and in my opinion the overall feeling has changed and not for the best! I use… Read more »
Just cannot watch Home and Family anymore. Miss Cristina!!
What was done to Cristina was age discrimination.How come nobody thought that Regis Philbin(who I love) was too old to cohost a show?She brought warmth to the show and grace.Home&Family is not the same anymore. I’ve been fast forwarding through recorded shows for Ken’s craft projects but truthfully will probably cancel my recording.Also, where is Janette Pavini and Laura Nativo? They are also missing.Shame on you Hallmark!
I have stopped watching Home and Family since it was announced Christina would not return. (Due to age???). I am around her age. I’m sure a lot of retirees watched the show. Also have watched very little to none of hallmark shows. I used to watch all the time.
When I first read all the post about Cristina being fired from Home and Family, I was shocked. I use to watch H&F almost everyday. But when Cristina told us the story on Facebook that’s all it took for me. I watched her on H&F 1996-1998. The show helped me with a bad tragedy in my family. Cristina has the sweetest most dear personality, tender hearted and love to all. When she came back on 2012 I was so happy. She’s beautiful inside and out. A loving heart, so easily to learn from. So since she lost her job, I… Read more »
Hallmark made a huge mistake in replacing the lovely, warm Cristina Ferrare. Have tried to give the new show bit it is a “hot mess”. Done & done.
I stopped watching immediately!! I was so happy to see Cristina Ferrare after a long hiatus from television. She is genuine, sophisticated, classy, and a joy to hear her interview, cook and loved her entertaining ideas. If not for her I’d of stop eating years ago! Mark was too much; he with his constant joking, interruptions and at times rude and offensive to some of the others gave me anxiety!! That’s how I see Debbie M., she has the same personality as Mark and disliked seeing the sing offs…ok you know all the songs big deal! It’s sad because everyone… Read more »
Not the same without Cristina. Count me out.
Disappointed in Dana Point
I haven’t watched H & F since Cristina was fired. I miss seeing her. She was the heart and soul of that show.
Disappointed isn’t the word. Debbie is a great contributor, but doesn’t have the grace, warmth or class that you brought to the show. You had the heart for “home” and “family”. I watched each day to remind myself that soon my dark days would brighten. That spirit is gone from the show with you. I am so saddened. I’m thankful you are enjoying where you are, but it doesn’t restore what I lost. Best wishes for greatest success, Christina.
I watched Home and Family faithfully for four years and continued watching when the cast returned from Dollywood until I realized Cristina Ferrare would not be returning. For me, the show lost it’s focus and was no longer true to its title. It is apparent the new direction is to appeal to a much younger audience. I still follow Kenneth Wingard, Kym Douglas, and Shirley Bovshow on Facebook and various web sites. I have lost respect for Hallmark and Woody Frasier.
Big mistake. Christina was the show, and the chemistry between her and Mark was great. She gave the show such energy and it made the show fun to watch. Sadly that is missing now. Although I presently tape the show, I find I am not watching it as it is not the same.
Every business has the right to make changes. My problem with Hallmark is the way they treated Cristina and US, their audience. For 2 weeks they kept saying Cristina was on vacation. Really? They only made the short announcement after Cristina posted on FaceBook. To me they destroyed their image and credibility of representing “home and family”. I prefer Cristina as host. She and Mark worked smoothly together. I DVR the show and skim through the segments watching what appeals to me. A little bit of Debbie goes a long way. Most of the time it seems like Mark fights… Read more »