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 was saddened today to learn the Cristina Ferrare was no longer a part of the Home & Family family. She and her co-host, Mark, were the main reason for my watching this show. Wow, this IS lousey. I know there was a certain “mystery” after a guest appearance of some “mystic” and Cristina made a brief reference to a medical problem, but that does not appear to be the reason according to her brief “thank you”.
If this was another poor executive decision because she was getting older and they needed some young chick……BAD DECISION!!!
I won’t miss Christina much at all. From the minute she came on the show she acted superior to Mark, didn’t like when he goofed around which I saw as fun. Already the show has a lighter fun atmosphere. When I thought she was on vacation I really enjoyed the show with Debbie M. She is more down to earth and “plays right along with Mark!! I’m loving it!#
I love home and family and everyone on it. But I am very upset that they let Christina go, so wrong her and Mark were the best together. I like Debbie but Christina has such a GREAT PERSONALITY she can’t be replaced.
I think Home and Family made a BIG MISTAKE!
I had been wondering: Where is Cristina? She must be on vacation with her children. Then, the announcement: Debbie is replacing Cristina. Seriously!!!! .No one can replace Cristina! She was the reason I watched the show. Cristina had a special ingredient and personality that drew me to watch!! Now, you have taken that away…..AND, the way YOU did it was LOUSY! Jeez! When I saw Cristina on the stage at Dollywood (on TV), there was a sadness in her eyes, but I thought it was my imagination. She might be tired. Then, she does not come back to the show… Read more »
She was the show! Won’t watch anymore.
I’m not happy about the way this was handled either. I have been anxiously waiting for Christina to come back from, what we were told, her vacation, only to hear she was replaced. Debbie is not the same personality us older viewers relate to at all. May be my last time to view show this today.
I agree with Mary. This was one show that had some morals and values demonstrated, which no other shows stressed daily. I do not know if she was a Christian but she came across as a caring, moral, family oriented, classy, lady. And TV does not have that kind of ladies anymore. Hallmark Channel you are making a very big mistake.
When the announcement was made this week that Christina would not be returning from her “vacation” I was broken hearted. I have been struggling with the show through her absence and eagerly awaited her return. The announcement that she was not returning (fired) revealed the dark side of “family” in Home and Family”. Warning to the Hallmark channel:: channel 7 let Garth Kemp go without telling the viewers. I kept wondering what happened. Turns out they let him go. Fortunately channel 2 had the good sense to take him on. I no longer watch channel 7 news and CBS 2… Read more »
I hated to see Cristina go but, there’s a reason for everything. Could be better things are in store for her and this job would have hindered that. She seems to have a strong faith in God. She’ll be okay. Most people including myself don’t like change. Sometimes it’s for the best. Give Debbie a chance. She might surprise you.
I think this is TERRIBLE!!! I was on vacation, I came back and Cristina is gone!?! Cristina brings a realness, numerous career experiences, wit and sense-of-humor, stage presence, thinking on her feet, grounding and softness to the show which, in my opinion, only strengthened the Hall Mark label. I only started watching H&F because of Cristina. Debbie, on the other hand, can not bring these attributes to the show…Debbie (for the co-host spot) is (and always has come across on the show) too plastic, phony-ish (and if she says “Wow” one more time! … :/ ), gitty and orange (she… Read more »
Christina made watching fun. Replacement was released from TheView so why would she get a cohost seat on this show. Won’t tune in again.
I feel that Cristina was a great representative of Hallmarks standards and if Hallmark thinks that they will get a younger audience then they are severely wrong. Cristina and mark are the best together and brightened my day when I needed it most. Although I will miss the program I don’t think I will be watching it any longer. I really don’t like the way this was handled and Cristina deserved better. Shame on Hallmark. I even changed to a high end package to get her program I guess I can go back to the basic plan again
I may be in the minority of people commenting. However, most who are happy remain silent. Complaints are usually what is heard the most. Whenever Christina went on one of her vacations in the past (and others would take turns co-hosting), Debbie was always the best. Christina, while kind and very good-hearted, does not seem professional (even though this is not her first time). She interrupts guests while they are speaking; is WAY too competitive during games; and during cooking spots, she will talk with her mouth full of food. As for those who are dead set on stopping watching… Read more »
I disagree with you completely. Cristina did make the show for many of us. She was the Heart of the show. The mom. She is what made it a “family”. She will be greatly missed. She was one many of us could relate to who set a high standard. She made the games fun with her competitive spirit. Sorry but you don’t speak for me. And by the way you are complaining even though you are happy. You are voicing your complaints about Cristina.
That’s hilarious that you think Christina was competitive. I loved the games but Debbie makes them all about her!
I don’t think Cristina *made* the show. She just made it more pleasant. She was someone who looked like people in my life; that is to say, regular people. She dressed in normal clothes and wore regular shoes rather than spikey heels. (I’m sorry, but watching Debbie traipse across the lawn in stilettos is just ridiculous to me.) I think it’s hilarious that you think Cristina was too competitive. Debbie is far more competitive than anyone on the show, and you’re calling Cristina down for that? Are we watching the same show??? I didn’t say I wouldn’t watch anymore. I… Read more »
For someone to tell me I am not happy because I have an opinion is TOTALLY WRONG. This blog site was created to get the comments (which prevents a person from remaining silent) regarding the decision of H&F and Hallmark to fire a cast member. I do see that YOU posted a comment, hence, YOU did not remain silent. What’s up with that? Cristina was fired because she is a female over 50. Bottom line…that is the truth of the matter. Hope Mark is right behind her, he is over 50 as well. No…wait…Mark is male, so he has nothing… Read more »
I had been wondering: Where is Cristina? The show was just not the same without her, but I thought, she must be on vacation with her real family. I was devastated to hear the announcement of Debbie replacing Cristina!!!! And, the way it was done! Jeez! The chemistry I have always felt with Mark and Cristina as partners on the show, just is not there with Mark and Debbie! Cristina is such a “special” ingredient to the show! Everything about this wonderful woman (too numerous to mention) is what made the show! She was the one reason I watched Home… Read more »
I miss Cristina! She was the show. Why do you people feel you need to mess up a good thing. You lost a viewer.
Christina did a great job and will be missed. But she was not the show. It literally takes them all to make the show.
Yes you are going for another year and why?? Not cause of Debbie but because Christina and Mark were a good team as hosts! Debbie is too silly and wild at times. Christina could make you laugh and still be classy. If you keep Debbie as host you won’t get another year mark my words. Will not watch the show anymore….why?? Lost an important key to the reason the shows been on for the time it has. Sad…. Big mistake people. And Debbie what kind of a friend are you to just say ok I will replace Christina. Not a… Read more »