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 will not watch it any more, she was so sweet like a grand ma :((
And she left you can delete the rest of my spots because you’re not man enough to take what I think of you
Cristina Ferrare made the show with her dynamic, family, friendly, down to earth presence. Now it seems like another fake talk show! I will no longer watch it!
What I don’t think the powers to be realized is their audience is a mature audience. Christina was more relatable. The younger folks that might connect with Debbie are all working for a living so H&F you did not pay attention to your demographics or you wouldn’t have made such a bad decision! Christina & Mark had amazing chemistry! I don’t see that with Debbie & Mark. I miss sweet Christina’s heart & grace it came so natural to her! Haven’t tuned in much lately I’ve lost my interest in the show.
I was deeply saddened to see that Christina is no longer H & F host. She & Mark created a cozy home environment. In a world with non families, each day you felt like part of their family.
Christina is going to be fine & God has amazing plans for her life.
Sadly, the show has changed & it dosen’t cater to my needs anymore.
All areas in life have seasons & this season was over sadly.
I will no longer watch. I identified with Christina because we of a certain age. Just because someone gets a little older doesn’t mean they need replaced. Now not only do I not watch H&F I also never know when anything else is coming on that I may want to watch because I don’t see the promos. Bad move Hallmark!!
I miss Christina too.But Mark Iis not a good choice for a host.he is uncomfortable in a lot of segments.His jokes are boring.i think the women should all be a larger part of the show.Its too feminine for a guy to be interested in many of the subjects.i find it hard to get through the first 10 minutes,all the intros and silliness ,and thos games are so stupid.
I enjoyed Christina on Home and Family. Mark and Christina had great chemistry. It seemed real and comfortable. I pray Christina doesn’t feel inadequate or a failure. She’s a truly a great host and will be missed. I will no longer watch the show. Why remove a dynamic person who fits so well with the idea of the show. Big mistake. Sharon Bechlem
I don’t know why Christina was fired, if she was., nothing I’ve read really says for sure. That being said I felt as if she was going to be through with the show during the Christmas special. And after that she kept mentioning her love of cooking and wanting to do more with that in that arena of her life. I think she has more to do in her life than being with the Home and Family show and I wish her much luck and love. Debbie Matenopoulos is wonderful and I love her as host. I wish Debbie all… Read more »
Sorry to see Christina is not on Home and Family anymore! ! I have faith that a door will open for her that respects her and shows her fans why she has so much more to give!! She should have her own show because she was the Angel that had the brightest light on Home and Family! Shine on Cristina! !!!
No more Home and Family for me. Not the same !!!!!
I will not watch no more!!! She was the show and to get replaced by someone who is no one
I will watch still watch it. I found Cristina did a fine job; yet I felt that she tried to overshadow the co-host and guests at times….always needing to say something…kind of annoying at times. Best wishes to the show to continue.
My husband and I watched Home & Family together. With Christina gone, the show has lost its authenticity. I have tried watching on several occasions since Christina but can’t get through the first 15 minutes before losing interest. The show has lost a depth that Mark’s current co-host just doesn’t have. Christina was timeless and is greatly missed. What a loss! No longer a fan of the show.
I am so disappointed that Cristina will not be on Home And Family. Debbie is nice but Cristina made the show because of her family dispositions and also so beautiful to look at. I have been watching the show for a long time and my husband just started watching. We feel like it was a bad decision to let her go. We want be watching your show anymore.
Hallmark means family, friends,etc. so enjoy all the shows, but won’t be watching Home and Family anymore because you took the one person who lit up the show with her beautiful smile and personality and down to earthiness that can’t be matched by a younger, blonde, skinny woman. No offense to Debbie, but she just doesn’t have it. You blew it powers that be and you should be ashamed of yourselves.
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.