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 think they made a mistake by letting Christina go. I stop watching the show when I realize she wasn’t coming back. I like Mark but the new co – host doesn’t pull it off the way Christina did, Christina and Mark were the heart of the show, now it’s just a show like any other. To bad they blew it
I will not be watching Home & Family. Christina was the heart of the show. Bring her back.
I to am so-o-o-o-o-o disappointed that Christina will no longer be on Home and Family with Mark. I continued to watch all summer, thinking she was on vacation and would return. Finally, I decided to go online this morning and ask the question. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!! What were you thinking???? I have been a fan of Hallmark for years. Unless the network reconsiders their bad decision and humbly asks Christina back to co-host with Mark I will seriously consider dropping out.
No, will not be watching. No Christina, no watching the show. Bad decision.
I was saddened to know she was gone. I am thankful to find out she wasn’t sick. I love the show, but it’s not the same without Christina. She brought a warmth and homey feeling to the show. She and Mark made the show worth watching.
Cristina was the reason I watched Home & Family! She added maturity to the show and you felt as if you could relate to her, simply by the subjects she talked about! Surely miss her! I’ve tried to get interested in the show again, but just It’s just not the same.
Are you people really serious that you think Christina got fired because she isn’t voting for Clinton?? I’m sorry I don’t agree with any of you…..I’m glad she’s gone. I thought she tried to hard to be cute and fit in…Everytime I saw her I turned the channel. Now I don’t mind watching the show. I remember the first time I TRIED to watch her it was either about the Veterans or 911 and she was trying to sing, it turned my stomach to see her acting as if she was so into it ,trying to act like she was… Read more »
Been a fan of Christina’s a long time. Occasionally I watched Home and Family to see Christina. Debbie may work out for the younger viewers but I propably won’t watch the show now.
However, Christina will survive without Hallmark! God bless you Christina for all the years of good, clean entertainment.
I am very sorry not to see Cristina on Home and Family this season. She was a very important part of the show. As much as I do like Debbie, Cristina should be asked back on the show!! She was the heart of Home and Family!! I thought she was on vacation at first. I do not think the network made a good decision here!!
Interesting that Hallmark is as treacherous as any other show business entity, goody-two-shoes brand not withstanding.
I think Hallmark is doing what so many shows do: showing preference to a younger audience over the more mature audience. They just don’t get that older audiences buy a lot of things too. And some of the younger audience are actually happy with the more mature hosts/actors. Also Hallmark is definitely treacherous. I called them once about treatment I received at one of their stores. I had received a card saying to come in for a free gift due to my level of patronage thru the year. When I got there, they told me I had to spend $40… Read more »
Cristina was the star of the show. Debbie is ok but not to take Cristina’s place
Cristina Ferrare and Mark Steines worked very well together. I think having Ms. Matenopoulos on this network show is a wrong move. She is to loud and hyper for this type of show as a co-host. I will continue to watch the Hallmark movies but not your Home and Family. Very sad to see Cristina gone!
I think it was a shame to let her go, but I was honestly getting bored with the show anyway. All the best to Christina and her family. God Bless!
After reading all the comments it appears a Hugh mistake was made by firing Christina and replacing her with Debbie. No one seems to like Debbie, she is so “stuck” on herself. The show has now turned into a disaster. Everyone trying talk way to fast and at the same time. It appears you have lost the mature viewers. It is now just another yuppie show, with all the women trying to outdo each other. Certainly a show I will no longer watch. So SAD.
I will no longer watch Home and Family, I o not like her replacement ,Christina was #1 with me,just because she is older isn’t a reason to replace someone that was a great asset and loved by so many,Hallmrk is cancelling favorite shows left and right .I am done with Hallmark channel.