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 think Christina made the show. I think the network wanted younger blood. But her kitchen sessions will be missed
Now there are TOO many people over loading each segment. I miss her.
Christina was like a ray of sunshine, always smiling and very genuine. She and Mark were perfect together. Debbie talks too fast and is sometimes hard to understand. She’s okay but Christina was great. Sorry I won’t be watching as it’s just not the same.
Cristina Ferrare made Home and Family…..there are too many people on
I love Christina on the show and thought she was terrific and a great foil for Mark. Their chemistry was great and why I watched. I feel very sad this has happened and wish Christina better options ahead. so glad she is not ill!
I loved Christina. She has lots of class and a lovely personality. I will continue to watch the show and I also like Debbie. Things change obviously but sad to see this one.
Though Debbie might be a nice person, she does not posses the showmanship Christina displays. I tuned in and saw Christina was gone and I really didn’t want to watch the show anymore. Christina and Mark have a special chemistry that Debbie doesn’t seem to have. I would prefer you bring Christina back soon. You have lost me as a regular viewer.
Replacing Christina stinks. She made the show. This was not business but Ii am sure politics. Dump Home and Family just like .they did he.
The show is boring without Christina and I seldom watch it now. Bad call Hallmark You had a good thing going and the chemistry was superior with Christina and all. As far as I am concerned she made the show.
Bad idea to get rid of Christina….shame on the execs for handling the situation the way they did….you’ve lost a viewer.
I no longer watch Home and Family (which I used to DVR every day) because of what they did to Christina. She was so talented and had given her all to that show for so many years. I’m always curious as to what those left behind, ie. Mark think about this. Of course, everyone’s always out for themselves and just glad they didn’t lose their job. I’m so sick of this kind of treatment of veterans of shows where they are replaced by younger people! It even happened on my local news channel recently where two veterans of over twenty… Read more »
I tried watching after she left…not the same….a big mistake to let her go and keep Mark!!! She was just the glue that held them all together and actually made it a family show…so sad. Few things on TV are worth watching at all and you just made Home and Family one of those…..just so sad….so sad
I enjoyed watching Christina on the show. She added class and humor and really engaged her guests. The show is not the quality it was. Shame on the execs for handing it the way they did.They clearly did not think about the Christina or the viewers. The current show reflects that.
Bad idea Hallmark. I’ve watched Home and Family when it started any years ago and was so happy to when it returned, but without Christine it’s just not the same anymore. You just lost another fan of the show. THANKS FOR NOTHING
I will no longer watch the show.
Networks are absolutely foolish. Cristina was the best part of the show. Her light shined, and the wonderful chemistry between herself and Mark ‘is what made the show!’ She is such a genuine person. I agree with below poster: ‘WHY TRY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS NOT BROKEN?!’