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, like so many others, stopped watching when it was announced that Cristina was not coming back. The show is so fake now. It has lost its appeal. I used to DVR and watch so I could fast forward past certain ladies that annoy me. Can’t do that anymore.
Big mistake from hallmark , cristina is a great host and very natural .
H&F I’m glad I’m not part of your family. I’d be looking over my shoulder all the time wondering when I’d get the boot. The chemistry between Mark and Cristina was ON POINT giving the show a realness and authenticity that isn’t there anymore. It felt like family! I think Debbie is adorable and take nothing away from her however Cristina brought a grace and elegance that can only come with the life experience she had. Bad form H&F. You’ve created another broken home.
Yay for Cristina! She is thriving! Unlike H&F. Don’t care for Debbie, never have. And Mark seems to be acting stupid to match with Debbie. Whatever….I tried watching once or twice after Cristina left but couldn’t stomach it. Sorry…I’m out. And I have been watching since it started. Go Cristina..lots of people love you!
Way back, when the original Home & Family show began on ABC, I watched because of Cristina. When I rediscovered the new Home & Family on the Hallmark Channel, I began watching because of Cristina. I stayed watching because I enjoyed Cristina and Mark together. Debbie was never a favorite when she was on the original case of The View. When she left I didn’t miss her. She’s been a little better on Home & Family, which attribtute to her maturing. As others have pointed out, when something is based on the precept of home and family, and all that… Read more »
So sorry to see that Christina has been replaced. I thought she was on vacation. Christina was the main reason I watched the show. I am tired of networks who feel the need to get rid of hosts based on age. The show is not the same since she left . Now that I know she is gone I will not be watching it. Sorry Debbie, you are just no replacement for Christina.
I am appalled to know that Hallmark holds women of my age in such low regard. Do they realize how many of us used to watch Home and Family. Since Cristina was let go I tried to watch the show but no longer enjoy it. I like Debbie, but not as a host. The show keeps getting more juvenile all the time. Cristina is a beautiful, young and vital woman who inspires many. I will no longer be watching the show and neither will many of my friends and family. Bad move Hallmark.
I’m not a fan of Debbie Matanopolis as she always brings everything back to herself. I watched because of Cristina’s bubbly personality and humility. I am no longer watching H & F. The way she was let go was unfair to Cristina and her many fans. Shame on you!
Just another viewpoint. The show is about Home and Family. There is always a matriarch in every family. Someone who has age and wisdom. That’s a good thing. Letting her go was like losing someone in your family.
I miss Cristina and pray she is reading all these notes and seeing how much she is missed and loved. Hallmark I have a suggestion for you . . . get a stop watch and time how much Debbie controls every conversation on the program. I really do not want to sound mean but Debbie should realize she does not have to “win” every game they play or talk over others while it is their turn to be featured. Lord Bless You Cristina.
I love Cristina, what the hell were you thinking H&F? I can’t stand Debbie, I was on the show last Aug and she was on it, she never said one word to any of us in the audience, the british bimbo ignored us too. Mark was so busy with his nose in his cell phone I don’t think he even saw us, and I was standing right beside him most of the time. I haven’t seen the show since the firing and I don’t miss it at all……..Christina, when are you going to get your own cooking show on the… Read more »
Real Cher(or new Cher) I was inspired to comment after you. Miss Cristina so much it hurts.BIG MISTAKE. BIG BIG MISTAKE!! Total agreement. I wish KARMA worked faster to help the bad feeling H&F has left on me. Can NOT stand to watch. NOT THE SAME! SHAME ON YOU HALLMARK! ….. SHAME SHAME SHAME ……KARMA BABY..
I have not watched the show since nor will I ever again. Shame on you H&F
I no longer watch the show since this happened to Christina
I watched faithfully every day & looked so forward to it. I no longer watch. So sad!
I have to admit that ever since I heard they let Cristina go I have not watched the show. She was the show!!! Although I like Debbie, but just not as one of the host. Sorry Hallmark my opinion is yall are really doing a lot to cause people to not watch your channel these days. I agree with some of the others that Army Wives was a great show and now it is gone. Another thing that I don’t care for is Christmas moves from Thanksgiving to New Year. My opinion is just run them on the weekends leave… Read more »