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?
It saddens me to hear that Christina will no longer be the host of Home and Family. We live in such a throw away world that people are just as disposable as paper products but the worse thing is the manner in which it is done. Christina is such an elegant lady that added substance to the show together with Mark. While I like Debbie- she is not in the same league. Networks don’t seem to realize that these people become like family members or special friends that you get to visit with on a daily basis. When central characters… Read more »
I have to say that I am very surprised. I was home on leave after a major surgery and have been back to work for 3 weeks, so was unaware of the change until today. It makes me sad, as I hope that the older ladies on the show will keep that connection to the older fans. However, I will say that there are times that I found Christina to be inappropriate, especially playing games, such a sore loser and over bearing cutting people off. However, I also attributed that to everyone having different personalities within a family. That is… Read more »
I love Christina and I think hallmark did not follow their own values the way it was handled maybe u need to change the name of the show to “The Young and Beautiful” and no I won’t be watching. You don’t preach family values then kick the matriarch off.
What a disappointment to learn that Cristina was not just taking a break. While I like Debbie and her segments on the show, as a full time host she doesn’t bring the same warmth and graciousness that Cristina always had. When week two came without Cristina, I found myself thinking, “I sure will be glad when Cristina gets back”. It’s just not the same.
It breaks my heart that Cristina was replaced !!! She was the only reason I started watching this show and with her gone, I will not continue to watch Home & Family !! She was the heart and soul of theshow and now they have made a hhorrible mistake !! Don’t get me wrong, I like all of the crew but they just are not Cristina !! I think she was done wrong and deserves better than to be done this way !! The last time I saw her on the show was the week of Dolly Parton and it… Read more »
Cristina deserves her job back. I’m not going to keep watching with Deb as the cohost, too loud, too many comments about the “juice if the lemon”. Home and Family made a big mistake.
Every now and then I would tune into the show I was not a regular bur after watching repeats of what I did watch, I turned to H&F and noticed Christina was not there. I heard the announcement on Thursday that Debbie is the new co-host. I googled and read out why. Things change! Nothing stays the same! We may not like it but just move on. It’s like changes in our bodies, we may not like it but we have to deal with it! Give Debbie a chance! Now I DVR it! Congrats to the Winner of the Craft… Read more »
To Woody, and all of Hallmark Executives, I am so heartsick that you have chosen to fire Christina and replace her with Debbie! Even though I like Debbie, I felt it was great to have Christina on the show as she represented us, the aging home viewers. I loved that she was such a loving presence. It truly felt like we were family with Cristina! I do not feel that way with the rest of the cast. CRISTINA MADE HOME AND FAMILY feel like Home and Family! She pulled it all together! This is the first time I have written… Read more »
Cristina made the show fulfill it’s name ‘Home & Family’. Her warmth and personality made you feel a part of every show. I agree with so many of the others’ comments, Hallmark made a ”business move’….not a ‘family’ decision. I will not be watching H&F anymore, as this ‘business move’ tends to contradict the claim heard time and again, ‘we are truly a family.’ Just my opinion!
I’m very disappointed that Cristina will no longer co-host the show. I agree with other comments about Cristina’s warmth, grace, intelligence and her humor. I think you have underestimated your audience and as for myself I’ve lost interest in the Home & Family Show and will no longer watch. Although I enjoy the others, Cristina was the main reason I watched the show. She is family and I will look for her on another channel. Soon I hope!!!
I don’t like the replacement of Christina with debbie. Nothing against Debbie but Christina made the show. No one can replace or fill her shoes. Your ratings will drop as a result of this blunder. Christina & Mark were a real team! They have a mutual respect & and care for each other as friends. Debbie doesn’t have her presence & grace that comes with maturity. To look bad! We will miss u christina
Will no longer be watching. I feel like I’m no longer your target audience. Such a shame as those like myself, who really enjoyed Cristina, are the reason the show has made it this far. I thought the show was fine with both ladies, and I like Mark. Wasn’t able to watch earlier this week, so I missed the announcement that Cristina was out. Tuned in today to hear Mark Steines say that Cristina was welcome back to their H&F show anytime she wanted. Seemed a little disingenuous as she was fired. Cannot “replace” her, good luck. Looks like you… Read more »
Omg…so sad. Only reason to watch was to see Cristina as the loving “Mom” of the “Home”. I’m devastated she’s no longer there. Feels like a death in the “Family”. I love Debbie, but why wasn’t a party held for “Cristina’s Retirement”?? I felt like Cristina was grooming Debbie all along now…when I watch reruns on DVR. I love her and miss her… my heart is so heavy. Cristina…you are a lady and no one will ever fill your shoes. America loves you. You are elegant and brought joy to so many. God bless you. Go and enjoy your beautiful… Read more »
The show will just not be the same without her!! She gave the show an elegance that other’s don’t have. I guess I’m in shock..will I stop watching the show? I don’t know I will have to think about that. I have not missed a show since I found Home and Family if I won’t be home I tape it. I can tell you I have missed Cristina since she has been on “vacation”. There are a lot of older people that watch the show. I don’t understand why everyone on the show has to be young we matter too..or… Read more »
I’ve read more comments from viewers who also agree with me regarding releasing Cristina and replacing her with Debbie M…what were you thinking, Woody? Cristina was the main reason we watched H&F for yrs. Debby is nice, however, not in the same league as C.F….please, PLEASE, please get C.F. back to co. host..Forget Debby she’s minor league, Cristina is a major league star. What a crappie thing to pull on C.F., and to ask her to stay quiet for a while is selfish, inconsiderate, unprofessional, rotten and low. There are other shows I could watch instead with more integrity and… Read more »
Bottom line….. Christina represented what Home and Family is all about. Without her the show just feels shallow and all the true warmth and love seems so staged now. PLEASE bring Christina back!!!! Debbie was fine as part of the show, but can NEVER replace the heart of the show which was Christina. I will not watch the show anymore until Christina comes back. Also, you are suppose to represent what Family is all about, what you did to Christina is definitely another sign that your show sends the wrong message. Because that is NOT how you treat family! It’s… Read more »