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?
Very disappointed with Christian leaving the show. I like Debbie but something is gone. It is more show biz. I have been a follower of the show since woody started it way back when, was so dissapointed when it was taken off then, love Mark,,but not as interested as I have been,, will be interested in what Christian will be doing next.
The quality of the show isn’t as it was when Christina Ferrare was on the show. The DIY has gone down in qualty as well. The show has gone down in my view. It is come to do I really want to watch it and waste my time.
I only watched the show because of her. I thought she was on vacation. I will find something else to watch
Cristina is a great host but Debbie is too, I think there should not be any difference and Cristina can visit the shoe and cook with Debbie
I like them both
I loved her and miss her. I watched everyday, but don’t now.
I too check back in hopes that HGTV authorities have realized what a mistake they have made with Christina’s leaving. The show went from its name “Home and Family” with a heart, to “House and People” with no heart. I flipped over today to see who was on and got the words Mark is with his boys/family. Why not just say he married over the weekend and celebrate it. Why do the shows head people think the audience consist of stupid people and they need to hide things from us. Thank you for considering me stupid and unable to think… Read more »
I think you mean Hallmark, not HGTV.
Loved the show when Christina was co-host. Don’t care for Debbie as co-host. I had no idea what happened. This was handled poorly by Hallmark. I like Mark, but show not as good.
I am not watching Home & Family anymore. It is not the same. It seems very flat without Christina.
I will no longer watch the show
I ONLY watched the show for Christina, I don’t like Debbie she is too bubbly for us tv viewers so early in the day. I will never watch this Hallmark channel again after what they did to Christina. Shame On You! By The Way, the “Younger Viewers” don’t watch the Hallmark Channel, since I have 3 daughters (21 to 30) But I always did until now and I am 51. Good Luck Christina I will follow you with your future on t.v. There are many SMART Channels who WILL sign you up!
No I miss her and her floral arrangements,, the show has not looked right since she is not there. I still watch but the show has changed. It was not done correctly and that is a mark against the program.
I WILL NOT be watching anymore..though I like Mark and the others, Christina was the best….she made that show what it is as far as I’m concerned. Home and Family messed up for sure.
I loved Cristina, she never seemed like a phony. She’s Italian & so am. I found her refreshing & kinda snuggly in a great personality way. Iis her. I find I don’t watch as much. I hope Cristina has the very best life & I get to see her again soon.
Buona fortuna Signora Ferrarre.
I really liked Christina. What happened to her happens to all older actresses and hosts. You change to make the show appear younger because you’re searching for ratings from a demographic that is usually not home to watch your show when you broadcast. I think CF displayed a lot of class. You should learn something from her example. I’ll be looking forward to CFs next project.
I miss Christina. She was very good at the job and was a calming influence. I wn’t watch the show anymore , and I think she should file an age discrimination suit. Watch Mark. You’re Next!