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?
Not watching anymore
What a shame, christina represented the family s matriarch of home and family. she made the show feel like you were really visiting with a welcoming home of a friend on a daily basis. now its a cod and unreal home with no welcome or warmth . in a word, this show is ruined . the welcome and the warmth is gone out of the phycological aspect of entering the home of a friend. (so to speak) what is wrong with the produces of the shows on tv today, they cut there own necks , with their non existence of… Read more »
No wonder the Network was so sneaky about how they let Christina Ferrare go-they had to know what a backlash of negative comments they would get if they were upfront about replacing her-just present it as a done deal!! Christina Ferrare is a Class Act-something you could never say about the executives of Home & Family!!
Sorry Home and Family felt the need to replace Christina. As a older viewer, I liked everything about her. She knew how to handle herself and was always dignified. Sometimes changes should not be made Why wasn’t Mark replaced and keep Christina? Perhaps that would have been a better decision. Anyway you can get Chrustina back? I really don’t enjoy watching Debbie, she try’s to hard and she shows it. Christina was always relaxed and pleasant. You need to reconsider your decision.
I do not like Debbie as much as Christina. Debbie has to be in charge of everything and doesn’t let others do anything. When there is someone there cooking she has to be the one doing it and doesn’t let the cooks do what they are there to do. Bring Christina back.
Good idea…Mark was the joke. Don’t dumb down the show.
I prefer Christina over Debbie, she does not connect with the audience. Love to see her comeback. Hallmark listen to your fans. bye bye Debbie hello Christina
Home & Family lost me as a viewer. I don’t understand why you think you must fix something that’s not broken. I say bring Cristina back. Until then, I won’t be watching
I actually watched Home and Family because Cristina and Mark are a little older and not ‘wet behind the ears’. I miss Cristina and wish she were back.
Hey guys. Here is a link to a petition regarding Hallmark firing Cristina Ferrare. https://www.change.org/p/hallmark-channel-usa-boycott-hallmark-channel-home-family-show-sponsors-for-recent-actions
I will not watch the show it is not the same without Christina was fired .. Please bring Her back .
Home and family was part of my life for about 2 years. I DVR’d the show daily so that when I missed it because of traveling or other events, I could catch. Since Cristina left I rarely catch the show. The DYI’s are less professional, the ‘grace’ of the show has gone by the wayside. Nothing against Mark and Deb. They are great, but the show is simply not as professional with Cristina. Wish the network would re-think their decision.
FOR SHAME…….. Christina definitely added BALANCE AND CLASS to this show. Was it age discrimination?
Won’t be watching again!!! Christina made the show real and could relate to all age groups. Hallmark seems to be following the big three by making huge mistakes.
I will not be watching any longer! KTLA did this same thing to Stephanie Edwarfs -funny thing she was back the next year. It’s amazing the double standard in Hollywood . Men can grow older on the screen but women are not allowed. CHRISTINA YOU ARE TOO GOOD FOR THIS STATION-nothing against the new gal.
What a shame you let Cristina Ferrare go from Home & Family, she was the heart of the show. I do enjoy Mark but do not plan on watching with Debbie Matenopolous as co-host. I find her overbearing to watch.
My teen daughter stopped watching months ago and kept asking if I knew when Christina was going to be back. I found this page today after checking out the show myself recently and wondering too. We miss the balance Christina brought to the group, It was one of the shows that my daughter and I could enjoy together and now it just seems loud and too much “in your face” to her. I agree. Too bad. I wish Christina well and a soft landing.