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?
Shame on you Hallmark! Did we learn nothing from the “Kelly and Michael” debacle? Christina was the true heart of H&F and should have been treated better as well as her fellow family members. Don’t you think that she deserved a send off instead of a 3 min announcement? Shame on Woody for going about this in such a rude manner. I Love D.M. and Mark and I think they will continue to do a great job but I do believe that I will not be watching any longer.
Home & Family handled the leaving of Christina terribly. I thought they had more class than that. I just started watching the show last year and thought that Christina was perfection and added such warm charm to the show. Home & Family will not be the same without her. Not sure that I will continue to watch the show.
I am so sad that Cristina has been fired from Home and Family. Was she let go because the Network feel she is getting ‘too old’? If that is the reason shame on you. Her style, grace, and wit will be greatly missed.
I am very sorry she is no longer on the show. She was very personal and talented. She will be missed. I like Debbie, however she is to much of an actress, very loud, my husband thinks she is a show off.
Cristina is the essence of the show. I like Debbie but Cristina had something that no one can replace. Sad to see her go.
I love the show sorry that CF is not on but Debbie will be a good replacement. I will continue to watch the show. Keep up the good job H&F
I am shocked and dismayed at the decision of Home and Family and this show has lost a faithful viewer. Debbie is great in her segments but she will never have the grace, warmth and welcome Cristina naturally exudes (evidenced by Debbie’s co-host experience in the past). The heart of Home and Family has been removed and so the show becomes one more home show with nothing special.
Cristina makes the show ,I don’t know why you would change something that wa not broken,I watched when she was on the first one,I was so happy to see her come back,I will not watch everyday like I used to deb is good but Cristina runs circles around she just has a personality that makes you watch to see what she does next.
I am sadden to hear that Cristina will not continue to be host, she brought so much to the show. I feel home and family has lost the older viewing audience, which I am one. I wish Debbie well, my hope is that she learns to not talk over people.
I was deeply saddened by the news that Cristina will be replaced on home and family. A large part of my love I’ve the show has been attributed to Cristina. I remember many years ago when she was on the original show. Her elegance, positive attitude, Spiritual beliefs, sense of humor and beauty were a major Factor in why I loved her on the show. As in life, I’m very aware that things do change. As saddened as I was to hear the announcement, I’m excited that DEBBIE Matenopoulos will be the new cohost. She is a delight to watch… Read more »
I’m broken hearted that Cristina is off the show. There are many cooking shows, DIY shows, fashion shows and health update shows…..I have shared with many of my friends and family the name of this show Home and Family.
To me, Home and Family is Cristina.
I loved Cristina, but I agree it was time for a change.
The show was just fine the way it was. D.M cannot hold a candle to Christina!
I just want to agree that I think this was handled badly for a s and for Christina and I have cancelled my daily recording of the show
There is no replacement for Cristina Farrare. She exudes love, grace beauty and creativity on the Home and Family Show. I was looking forward to watching Cristina’s segments of Christmas in July. Unless she returns, my mother and I will not be watching the show.
I am sad that Christina has been replaced. She brought an elegance and calmness to the program. I watched today and there is way too much energy for me. It’s just not the same. Don’t know if I will continue to set my day around H&F.
i agree…nothing against Debbie..bur Christina gave the show warmth, coziness and a calming atmosphere..a BIG reason I watched the show and loved it…it felt like u were visiting with family, and really had a calming affect on me while i watched and i looked forward to it each day..something we all need in this hectic world..sorry to say it doesnt have that same feeling now..which i miss…Let Debbie go back to what she was doing on show and bring Christina back…im afraid if Christina isnt brought back…the show is on borrowed time..which is a shame…change for the sake of change… Read more »
I miss Christina it does t seam the same and I don’t enjoy watching much any more
I agree. I have not watched since the change. Its not the same…Its a shame the charm and grace that Christina brought is just not there. Its not home and its not family. Its lost the unique quality that make me a baby boomer tune in.