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?
Sadly H&F just doesn’t have the same chemistry it did with Christina as co-host. It’s as if they are trying too hard to do what use to come naturally.
I know I gave it my best shot, but it doesn’t work for me any
longer. Good Bye H. & F.
As all the others I truly miss Christina. I make sure I Chang my t.v. channel in the mornings to anything but Hallmark!! Debbie wears on the nerves!! It’s like they fired the Mom !!! She is wonderful, and I hope she comes up with a cooking and flower arranging show of her I wn!!
They should have kept christina
I think if I may she was awesome ,its not Debbies fault though she got a promotion and most people would take it,but Home and family should have at least told everyone and gave her a farewell,Cristina is so beautiful she even kept it a secret like they told her to what a classy lady I wish her I the best God Bless her.It was kind of like monster in-law just cause were older people think were disposable but were not Cristina will get her own show watch.
I miss Cristina! I can’t stand Debbie… she is pretty but it’s not the same… the family feel is definitely missing. Please bring Cristina back… I already stopped watching and even recording….. I’m 35 my friends range 25 to 40 we miss cristina… there’s a demographic….
Ray, I feel the same as you. I’m 62, and even if I was 22 – I would prefer Cristina. As I think about what I like about her (Cristina), I discovered it’s many things. Her comforting personality and the way she makes me feel welcomed to the show. Her relationship with Mark…they were comfortable to watch and like best friends and always seemed to make me laugh and feel like I’m sitting right there at the counter, with them…awaiting my dish of whatever they are cooking. It felt like home!! Now, it cannot compare. I always – always watched… Read more »
Debbie lacks the qualities to make the show as good as it was with Cristina. It is a difference in personality. Cristina was warm and inviting. H & F , I think you have lost a lot of fans. Don’t care to watch anymore. Not the same feel on the show. If you replaced her because of age, that was a bad move and not fair.
First Mark Steins marries someone young enough to be his daughter and then they fire Christina bc she’s too old. I will NEVER watch again.
Hmmmmm I’m wondering if Mark’s new wife had some jealousy issues. Mark and Cristina complement each other. Playfulness…that’s it! Well partly anyway. Mark and Cristina had a relationship like best friends. You cannot top that! Debbie just doesn’t fit that position. Whenever I hear her talk its like she’s so hyper and feel she is ready to burst out laughing no matter the topic. She shows little interest.
I’m sad to see that Christina is not on the show any more. She and Mark seemed to enjoy working together. It’s not the same watching the show now. I don’t think I will watch anymore. If the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday shows look interesting I may watch. I know you have to do what’s best for the show, but it’s not the same for me anymore.
Thanks for listening
I miss Christina wish the network would consider bringing her back .It was a bad idea to replace her..!!!
Another WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!!! repeat WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING H&F?!!!!!!!!! It pains me so not to see her where she belongs. The title of your show is Home & Family. You KILLED a member of the family and left us all (to feel like ****!!!). Everyone is grieving their mother, and you shove Debbie at us. Not feeling it!! NOT gonna work!! SHAME on you Hallmark! BIG MISTAKE! BIG BIG MISTAKE!! Somebody PLEASE PUT Cristina on opposite this hasty misjudgement of a show(FOOD network help us.) We the faithful will show you how to take… Read more »
i have the same feeling that you have ! why did you replace cristina ? the program is not the same ! i thought this was a close family show and that they love each other , i miss her a lot ! iam not interested in watching it too much any more ! i think this time you messed uo !
G R E A T I D E A !!!! Somebody grab up Cristina to host your show – opposite the Hallmark Channel!!! Hallmark Channel has really disappointed me. What has happened to the series that you show – and never come back for a second or third season. I have the FeelN app and I watch is on. I just don’t even have the channel on my channel favorites list now. I’m sure there are many many others that feel the same.
I will never watch again…Why do TV stations have to fix what is NOT broken…they will regret it…the replacement is not believable as a cook and I don’t believe her in that position..as a contributor she was a better fit.
Christina is amazing and the life of the show…without her that guy Mark is BORING and almost invisible…no real personality…
Good luck Hallmark….you made a huge mistake!!
Christina was one of the main reasons I watched the show. I wanted to see someone more my age. The other lady is nice but I don’t want to see someone so young and does not have my experiences.
Watch out Mark your not getting any younger! Best wishes to Christina, I will miss you and Hallmark got it wrong!
I miss Christina already. Thought she was just on vacation at first, but finally Google Home and family. Can’t believe she was terminated because of her age. I like Debbie ok but she’s not Christina. Watch out Kim , you may be next. Mark is older too, why did he get to stay? (I like mark , just making a point). I think women over 40 watch this show and everyone will miss Christina. Big mistake Hallmark!
I must have missed the announcement that Christina left the show. I thought at first she was on vacation..then i realized its been to long.So i googled her and found out she was fired..aka.. replaced..Im not watching it so much in real time . I rather DVR it and if there’s someone i want to see or learn a new DYI ill watch.Christina brought so much to the table. This show had definitely lost a huge chunk of lack luster. It’s sooo not the same without her. Hallmark what were you thinking?
Sabra, Mark told the viewers for 3 weeks that Cristina was on vacation. The announcement lasted about two minutes. Instead of lying to us that day, Mark simply said that Debbie is the new co-host. What upset me about that; the camera showed the faces of all the cast mates that day and there were huge smiles on all their faces. I couldn’t believe that they all treated Cristina that way. Guess its all about their paycheck and no Christianity!
i bet it was “highly recommended” that they smiled..and at that point they were probably figuring they would be next to go….if they didnt smile..
AMEN! Everyone was very back~stabbing!!! What a Home & FAMILY!