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 have missed Christina on the show and wondered what happened to her. I am glad she is not sick. She was a perfect fit for this show. She was the only reason I watched the show.
Don’t plan to continue watching. She had that certain grace and warmth, so down-to-earth, that made me want to watch. Think this was a bad move!
I was so sad to see Christina has left the Home and Family show. I won’t be watching the show any more. Don’t Like the new co- host. We want Christina
When a person is a great fit as a cohost and does a fantastic job~~~~~why in the world would you replace her ?
I used to watch everyday and if I was not home I would tape it. I am a grandmother and I liked that Christina was my age group so now I do not watch and I do not want to see host that is half dressed. No longer watching
Classic tale of a younger women replacing the older one. I could relate to Christina, shes in my age group. I work nights and was able to catch the show in the mornings when I got up. Hallmark you made a big mistake with this one. Won’t be watching any more.
I just googled ” Woody Fraser ” ,seems the OLD guy has a habit of firing people that work for him!! The 80 plus old jerk should be the one given the ax.He is NOT a nice person. I also watched his 80 th birthday.Cristina was there honoring him!!! This man deserves NOTHING!!!
The spark has gone out of Home & Family and that was Cristina. She made the show! She brought something to the show that cannot be replaced. She is truly missed!
Matenopoulos doesn’t have it. Mark is great, but you just took the shoe down a peg. Kym Douglas is who you could replace.
Will not be watching any more.
I will no longer watch!!!
Wow! After reading all the comments I realize I am not the only one who thinks like this!!!! I liked the show but LOVED the chemistry between Christina & Mark! I thought she was on vacation because of the time of year but when she wasn’t coming back and they did not say “and filling in as host” I looked it up and what a shock to find out the truth. SO sorry she is gone from the show! I will miss watching! I tried but can not get thru even the first half of the show with Debbie. Such… Read more »
The only reason I watched the show was because of Cristina—-I am very sad & disappointed with the Hallmark channel & will not watch Home & Family any longer. Christina is sweet & authentic & I loved how she interacted with guests & Mark. If the change was made to get more viewers, good luck with that!
I really like Debbie and her contribution to Home and Family, but Cristina was so warm that she balanced the whole “family.” I feel like they have altered a winning formula. I wish all the best to Debbie, but I miss Cristina. I stumbled upon this show about a year ago and was hooked. She and Mark seemed to offer the lovely but different sides of a rare coin and also seemed to be very good friends. Now, it is still a good show … just not as special. 🙁
Very well said! My sentiments exactly!
I won’t watch anymore. Liked her. No chemistry w new person.