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 have always enjoyed watching home and family because Christine made it all feel so Personal and like being part of a family. I cannot watch it anymore because the new co-host just doesn’t have the maturity and experience like Christine. It changed the whole flavor of the show. I will not watch the show anymore.
It did change the whole dynamic of the show, less personal and more impersonal. I do miss Christina, but I am sure they will not bring her back because of the way they handle her leaving. It seems to me Mark making the best of the situation with what happened that he can’t say anything and wasn’t his choice. How is it that Debbie does two shows, she is better at the other show and just was a good contributor on H &F.
I thought she was on vacation but soon realize she’s been gone to long. This was a Network mistake. Christina had the connection with people my age.
Debbie is a bore sorry. The Chemistry is all wrong between her and Mark.
They look like fish out of water. I have no desire to keep my channel set on Hallmark in the morning when I wake up. So good-by Christina good-by H&F
Let me restate my case. I can,t stand Debbie who babbles and talks over everyone so you can,t tell who is talking.Mark try’s to compensate but it doe,s work. Christina was the older woman who everyone could relate with. Not any more. I will find another show to watch where people or not shouting for a turn to talk.Its all Babble now and it gives me a headache.
Very disappointing to learn that Cristina was released. I appreciated her perspective on issues. Best wishes to her and her future. Her Facebook response to leaving the show is evidence of her class and integrity. Cristina, you are awesome!
We gave a great effort to attempt to watch H&F after Cristina was let go so abruptly from the show. My famity and I do not like or watch the show anymore. We as viewers see that Family is not the greatest asset from Hallmark. We feel that you have removed a part of our family and that leaves us with an empty void. Debbie is nice but she doesn’t feel like family to us. My family, friends and I ( 36 yr old man ) feel like we lost a family member ( Cristina ). Hallmark used to mean… Read more »
I no longer watch show no disrespect to Debbie but she is no Christina…not the same an will not watch the show
I personally think that the replacement will do some good because I started watching it at the beginning and was completely turned off by Christina’s and Mark’s on screen relationship… Although the real replacement should include a new more multifaceted man that’s has more than one gear.
No offense to Debbie. The show needs a motherly type to cohost. Debbie does not have that quality just yet. I will still watch but not sure how much longer. Debbie gives more of a sister vibe….The hosts need to be the solid foundation of the show. Debbie and Mark are not that duo. He needs more of a mother figure beside him.
no I will no longer watch the show its not the same.
I miss Home and Family. I tried to adapt to life without Cristina but the warmth of the show is gone. It’s sad as the change and low ratings affect so many cast members.
I watched Home & Family because of Cristina. She has a warmth & charm that has always endeared her to me. When I was able to watch the show I wanted to see her & how she contributed to the show: her comments, recipes, etc. More & more of us “older viewers” want to watch someone closer to our own age. We are young-at-heart in the way we view our lives, but are past raising young children. We don’t all want to watch “soap operas” with there over-the-top drama, but enjoy learning crafts, recipes & watching celebrity interviews like the… Read more »
I quit watching the show when I found out Cristina was gone for good. She truly made that show!
Whereas Debbie had her place on the show, she cannot begin to compare to Cristina as cohost! You have lost me as a viewer forever!
When Cristina Ferrare was on H & F, she brought a warmth to the show that I no longer feel. I no longer watch the program but I follow her on FB.
Christina was the cohesiveness of Home & Family. Without her the show is lacking.
Thought Cristina was on vacation and after watching Debbie bore me twice I stopped watching waiting for Cristina’s return. Now I learn she’s gone for good, I realize she has too much class to sue for age discrimination which obviously is the case but feel that’s the reason the young, skinny, babbling new cohost was picked –because she’s young which is a very poor excuse for firing the one person who added class, grace and intelligent conversation to the show. My friends and I have decided to take boycotting the show one step further and stop purchasing Hallmark cards. You… Read more »
You’re so right!!! Debbie is so fake and over the top. Cristina was very warm and natural. I actually feel Mark is a little “douchey” lol sometimes and Cristina tempered that with her down to earth personality. It’s downright annoying now. Cristina is way older than me, but WHO CARES??? I sure didn’t. Dumb Hallmark.