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?
They let Christina go…..the only thing constantly commented on daily is “Greek”……. I don’t live there and could care less….. Now they have to do a search for the “best home cook”…..the “Heart” of Hallmark was let go…..they replaced her with a less than exciting Debbie….sorry she just isn’t host material……they now have to replace Christina with a home cook….not a chance…..you broke my heart with this decision Hallmark…..eat crow and bring Christina back to her “Home & Family”.
I no longer watch home and family now that Cristina is gone. Feel it was handled very badly and the new format is no longer enjoyable. Hallmark made a bad decision and I hope their ratings reflect it.
I’ve tried to watch the show since Christina has been gone. It’s just not the same! The show has lost its spark for me. I would be very surprised if the show is renewed for next season…So glad to see Christuna and Maria on Facebook and their mission to fight Alzheimer’s. God bless you!
Really miss Cristina. I haven’t watched the show since she left (forced out.) “Home and Family,” even the name evokes warmth and love… but it harbours dirty little secrets. Shame on you Hallmark, (false advertising at its best!) Not a family I want any part of.
Christina was a very classy lady you will never be the same without her her and Mark made a great team I will not be watching the show I believe that Debbie is too much of a whiner and just don’t enjoy her conversations nor would she puts on there is many of us women who watch it in the morning who will not be watching any longer good luck to home and family it will never be the same
I will not be watching the show if Christina leaves good luck to you all the shows nothing without Christina, when Debbie talk she sounds like a whiner drives me crazy so just can’t watch it anymore
I and my husband were very sad, we no longer watch. I watch Joel ostensibly, Joseph prince, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, and now Olympics. I watch hgtv, foodnetwork. Hallmark only for Christmas in July and holiday specials. I couldn’t believe how hallmark could even do such a thing. But! There is a God true and living God and his name is Jesus! His plan will always be above any hallmark plan.
I don’t watch anymore. The chemistry is just not there anymore. Huge mistake on networks part.
Loved the show when Cristina was co-host, but I no longer watch it. She was such an inspirational person, always a pleasure to watch, and a true “Family” member. I don’t understand this decision, but it was a bad one!
I won’t watch H & F because of the way Cristina was let go. Hallmark Channel is not the heart of TV. If not for the Golden Girls, I’d never watch the channel.
I have not watched Home and Family nor the Hallmark Channel since they replaced Cristina. What they did to her is disgusting. She and Mark worked so well together. Cristina has the most beautiful personality and she was a big part of making the show so enjoyable. I miss my mornings with Home and Family and Cristina!
I have been watching H & F for years, and the main reason I watched was because of Christina. Since reading about how her departing was handled, I have quit watching. Shame on H & F for removing such a classy, beautiful woman…what, just because of her age??? Really people?
Cristina was the heart of H & F. Since she is no longer there, we no longer watch it. My husband recorded it each day before the change. I tried watching a couple of times since, but i no longer feel the warmth that was there with Cristina. If it is cancelled I will feel sorry for the support cast members, but I don’t watch it anymore.
Both my husband and I watched the show daily while Christina was on. I have tried a few times since Debbie took over, but it seems phony now. Christina was the Mom that holds a family together. We no longer watch. It is sad because it was a daily dose of love and encouragement before.
The show is clearly NOT the same! Shame on whomever it was that made an idiotic decision to let such a classy, beautiful, inspiring , loving person go, because someone thought it needed someone younger!! I have watched Home & Family when it was on before with Christina and then was canceled, which was a big mistake then!! Christina along with Mark WAS the show! Debbie is like a lost puppy trying to find her way, and not doing a very good job, I might add!! I would hate to think Woody had something to do with this decision!! Not… Read more »
I too like all of us writing in just can’t seem to wAtch the show much anymore . I occasionally put the channel on and watch it and then turn it off. I used to dvr it everyday and watch it . Just can’t do it. Maybe Christina if you had left on your own. Maybe if they let you say good bye. But the way they did it! It is terrible and I think that’s the worst part. Of course you would find something else ! We’re glad we get to watch the show with Maria on Facebook cooking.… Read more »