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?
So much enjoyed the show. I thought Mark and Cristina were a great pair. Just the right age difference and they really seemed to be great friends. I no longer watch the show.
The show is on at a time when there are other things to watch. I would avoid those to watch Christina. I like mark and her together. Now I don’t have to watch anymore.
I have not watched an entire home and Family show since Christina left .Somehow I feel your show has lost its classy atmosphere .The love and family feeling is missing .
Hallmark, Bad judgement on the call to get rid of Cristina. She truly added so much class to the show. Just not the same. Most viewers over 50 could totally relate to her.
I do not watch as much since Cristina has been replaced.. It is not as good as it was.. I have tried several times and it is not the same..
This was so disappointing news. I’ve been a huge fan of Home & Family. To be completely honest, Hallmark you made a huge mistake! Your show will never be the same. 🙁
I will not watch Home and Family since Cristina was let go. I’ve tried but I get so angry and for that reason I just can’t watch. It’s hard for me to explain I really felt the home and family connection and then they just dumped one of the family members. What the heck is up with that……
Cristina the home & family show is not the same without you..I miss your smiling friendly face you had a warm friendly way about you..i don’t really care anymore to watch it. The girl that took ur place is terrible…I wish you well and if you get back on tv again please let us all know
Sorry they let Christina go. She was my favorite host,so therefore I am no longer a viewer of home and family.
Cristina had class and warmth. I’ve tried tuning in briefly 3-4 times, but can hardly stomach it all. How could you do that to Cristina?? She made the show what it was from the beginning. I loved her on the Home show too. Admit you’re wrong and bring her back. We all can’t relate to the blonde Barbie look a likes on the show now. Debbie has always talked too much. I like to watch her, but not as a host.
I wondered what happen to Christina. Well I was surprised to see she was fired from the show. But isn’t it typical to get rid of the older host and replace them with young blood. Hey TV, the world is getting older better get use to the idea that there will be more older folks on TV. Good luck in what ever comes your way Christina.
I will no longer watch the show. They suck. The show was Christina
I will not miss Christina. I had actually stopped watching. Christina seemed very distant and arrogant.
I loved this show when Christina was on it and tried to NEVER miss an episode. When I found out that Christina had left I was so disappointed, but decided to watch and give the show a chance. Well, it’s just no use. Christina was the very heart and soul of that family and it just doesn’t work without her. Sadly, I’m no longer watching.
Mark is charming, and with Christina, they were gold However, without Christina, it is just another time-filler show with perfectly nice, but utterly non-compelling talking heads. No real reason to watch anymore. Christina made everything fun. Her personality and warmth were the reason to watch. Even my husband would watch when she was on. The network must be out of its mind letting her go –