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 miss Christina. I like Debbie but it’s just not the same. I wonder if it was her age. She looks every bit as young as Debbie and she seems like a truly genteel lady who knows how to make a house a home. I miss her and I worry that she might feel hurt. I was upset that we were not given a reason for her leaving. I still watch the show but I will never understand why.
I no longer watch the show. I watched because of Christina.
very sorry she is not on the show any more Not the same.
I also will no longer be watching Home and Family. It is not the same without Christina and Mark. I don’t care for Debbie’s personality that is a bit over the top. Too bad they had to make these changes. I will miss the show, but honestly can’t sit through watching Debbie. Sorry.
I like Debbie very much but it just isn’t as good without Christina. I am just not as interested in watching every show like I was when Christina was on. She tied everyone together. It seems like the foundation fell out from under the show.
It was also very suspicious the way she just disappeared without an explanation. I’m just so disappointed in this decision made by Hallmark. I was always bragging about what a great show it was.
IMy time is so limited to watch TV…that the only interesting show has been Home and Family, and was because of Cristina, is so hard to find a host that is elegant, well dress, good manners and so alive at the same time…I hope she is called to have another show…I will keep my ears open!! The best for her!!
Hallmark what a HUGE mistake….Can’t stand to watch the show anymore…seems your more worried about the ratings then the morals your show was based on with Cristina. Nothing against Debbie, but she is far from co-host material. She is already over playing the rule as co-host. BRING CRISTINA BACK!!!
I’m very disappointed that Cristina is no longer on the show. The show will never be the same as she was very much a big reason the show was so successful. I wish her well on the next chapter of her life. I’ve been trying to watch the show in spite of the change but so far it’s not working!
CHRISTINA WAS PERFECT IN HER CO-HOST ROLE.
NO I WILL NOT BE WATCHING. I HAVE TRIED BUT IT’S
JUST NOT THE SAME. DEBBIE IS A BIT OVERWHELMING.
CHRISTINA AND MARK WERE GREAT TOGETHER.
Show has lost half of its charm. Mark good, but not great with new co-host.
I’m totally outta here!
Big mistake Hallmark!!! I started losing interest in the show when you started having Hallmark actors and more about what will be on the Hallmark channel than about Home and Family…Christina and Mark together were magic…Debbie is OK, but not Christina…if it had to do with the ratings, it was your fault not Christina’s. The show is really doomed now…bye Home and Family Show, you did it to your selves…
I’m appalled that Christinahas been replaced! You would think that Hallmark would be above stabbing people in the back, especially Christina who started and built Zhome & Family to be what it is now. It is Christina’s grace, poise and her stardom that built the reputation of the show and she’s the star since none of the others were known at all. And now you replace her!!! What a pathetic decision. Bad move. I won’t watch the show again. I cannot condone getting rid of the person who built your audience.
So disappointed in the network!!
Do not like Home and Family any more since Cristina left. Debbie is good in small doses but not hostess.
I will no longer be watching the show. We all ‘know’ why she was axed. The Christmas season is coming and the keepsake ornaments had their first debut already. I myself with my 30 plus years of buying the ornaments along with these past 4 years of watching Christina and Mark minus Christina means no more watching the Hallmark morning show. Christina brought a homey and fun component to the show that Mark doesn’t have. She wasn’t a blonde bimbo. Shame on you Hallmark.
I will not be watching. The new host acts fake and insincere. She acted like she has known mark and his wife for years especially when they met. Shes fake. Bring Christina back.
I love Debbie M!!! I found Cristina to be very bubbly, but at times a little fake and and interruptive of the shows guests. I love the show and feel this is a change for the better