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 just started up again recording the show daily ( about a week or so) while I ‘m at work . At first I thought Christina was on vacation, then I saw on the internet she’d been replaced. What a mistake, they let the wrong Co-host go!!!
Christina and Mark worked well together in Home and Family. Christina’s manner and style is what made the show. Her personality is what made it move smoothly. This was a mistake, eliminating her. I no longer watch the program,
Don’t watch H&F all the time but record and watch when I can.I’m not an” insider” so to speak.But I must say that I’m very saddened to not see Christine cohosting with Mark any longer.She’s beautiful, elegant, graceful and down to earth charming and just has the it factor about her.I love the combination of her and Mark together and they had a perfect balance of chemistry that made the show click. The show just seems kind of bla and missing that pizazz it had when she’s a part of it.doesnt draw me in to watch anymore even though I… Read more »
I totally agree.
Sorry to say, I tried watching; but I did not enjoy the show without Christina. She was a warm vibrant addition. The show is just not the same. Removing Christina was a huge mistake
Shame to see Hallmark replace Christina, as she’s the only reason I ever began watching the show. Didn’t care for the first female co-host & don’t care for Debbie either. Sure I’m not the only viewer you’ll lose over this!
Why fix something if not broke? The show was warm and fuzzy with Cristina… Have not watched since the fans were told she was being replaced… Hallmark you lost a multitude of viewers when you mishandled this situation… Should have been honest from the beginning, she was not on vacation….
This was such a shock! Debbie is so stuck on herself and only wants to be “sexy”. This is not what Home and Family is supposed to be!! Christina made the show a “family”. Shame on Mark, especially, for going along with this change. He always said Christina was his best friend – so much for what he says anymore!!! I no longer watch and will not watch. I was a long time viewer and supported the show – but no more!! I do hope the ratings go down and it is cancelled – this is what the show deserves!!
Hallmark what were you thinking!! Christina made the show. I have always made sure i had the Hallmark channel on Dish but if you are trying to shut Home and Family down, you are on the right road. Debbie is not near the type of lady Christina has shown us in the past. I rarely watch this show because of what this show has become. BRING CRISTINA BACK OR YOUR SHOW WILL BE HISTORY IF WHAT I GAVE HEARD AND READ!!!
I don’t like the show any more. I miss Christina. Debbie is not strong enough to carry the show and now they are using Mark and his marriage to boost ratings. Bad move for Hallmark. They need to rethink this move.
I have tried to watch objectively. But the new cohost just keeps talking. She over shadows the guests. Continues to always one up everyone. Watched her ridicule guests, insult coworkers and constantly checking her appearance in the camera. Her competitive nature in the games is unbecoming for a host. The other day she kind of tried to take over the segment even trying to take a spoon out of a coworker’s hand. I know a host has to keep the segment moving, but if she would listen instead of giving her twenty cents things would run smoother.
I will not watch anymore! Christina was the reason I liked the show so much!
I miss Cristina as the show co-host. Debbie was fine with her segments, but I do not like her as co-host with Mark. It all seems so forced and uncomfortable. I noticed that there seems to be tension between Debbie and the other women on the show as well. Please bring Cristina back!
Cannot unsderstand why Hallmark let Christina go. She is a classy lady and is the reason I watched the show. I do not care for Debbie or Mark so I will no longer be watching the show.
Not at all happy about this! Christina is real and down to earth! She’s easy to relate to. If the network wanted change then what a stupid way to change it! Same format, same segments. The show reminds me of a “Stepford” Home & Family show now. If you’re looking for change Hallmark, then you need to change more than a cohost. But then again, if it isn’t broken, why fix it?
I have tried watching the show without Cristina and it’s just not the same.
its as simple as this, I will no longer watch this show!!
I just occasional watched the show as I was busy during the show. I liked Christina, her and Mark made a good pair. I may watch again but a new hostess usually does not mAke it.