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?
VERY disappointed by Hallmark’s decision to replace Cristina. Truly was one of my favorite shows BECAUSE of her wonderful heart and soul. No longer watching….removed from my DVR.
Love the show but that was a big mistake to replace Cristina. If it ain’t broken don’t fix it probably wont watch anymore:(
I am saddened to say I will miss Cristina. Her experiences as a woman, mom, spouse and so on are what most of us have in our homes and family. She shared her love of her family and friends with all. She brought clarity to the show. She is uplifting and made me feel as though I was part of the show. The guests always looked comfortable with her. She always had sweet things to say. If she ever had a slip up while cooking she handled it calmly with a laugh. Never made a big issue about it. She… Read more »
I only watched the show because of Cristina. She is a classy, talented and funny role model for me ( and, I believe, for ALL women.) It’s obvious that she has no problem standing up for herself, which I love! Maybe that didn’t sit well with the “powers that be”! I think the show is now dull and not worth watching without her. She was the spark on the show without being overbearing, like some of the other cast members. Why in the world would Hallmark not be thrilled to have her there forever and to do whatever it took… Read more »
No, I don’t think that Cristina Ferrara should have been fired from Home and Family! She was a fine host and provided a good balance to Mark’s quippy, witty, and sometimes over the top style. It was good to have balance regarding age, as well. Cristina has style, she has class, she is fun, she represents a youthful maturity and yet is clearly knowledgeable regarding current trends. I have missed her since she stopped appearing on the show and I will continue to miss her. The show isn’t the same without her and I’m not sure I will continue watching… Read more »
It’s hard to say clearly how disappointed I am in the decision of Home and Family to part with Cristina. I always felt she was absolutely the best part of the show and whenever she’s gone the show just seems to go through the motions until she returns. She is a beautiful and graceful woman. She is the main reason I watch the show. Home and Family needs to understand that many people that watch do so primarily because of Cristina and find her to always be so kind and graceful and committed to her home and her family and… Read more »
I am very upset with how Hallmark treated not only Cristina, but the loyal fans of the show. I watched or taped the show every day, and would even watch the rerun shows from the day before. Cristina was the heart of the show! No, I will not longer watch or tape the show.
So upset Christina was replaced. I watched the program because of her and Mark. I didn’t watch when she was on vacation and I won’t be watching the program anymore. BIG BIG MISTAKE LETTING HER GO……..
You have ruined the show. I used to watch the original one years ago. She was the main reason. Without Cristina the show will stink. All Mark does is take pot shots at Kym. If I could reach through the tv I would slap him. He thinks he is funny but is nothing but obnoxious. I am giving up watching the show because you canned the best part of it
I’m so sorry to see her go. She was one of the main reasons I watched the show. I’m not impressed with the current co-hosts, have not been a fan of Mark’s ever. Why does everything have to be geared to younger tv viewers. I wish Cristina the best, she will be missed.
This video was created as a plea to Hallmark Home and Family originally. Cristina Ferrare was basically pushed out of her co-hosting role on the show as other members of the show have been absent for quite some time as well. In the blink of an eye this video became a tribute to these beloved women when the news dropped this week on social media about Cristina. Many changes have been occuring for a while that are not sitting right with loyal viewers. This is to no fault of the members so many of us miss watching. Please get the… Read more »
I love Debbie M, but Christina really added to the show. If it is because of an age problem, that is what made the show special. There are both young and old out here watching. To me the show had that range of young and old. I started watching because of Christina. You don’t live in the real world. Why try to fix something that wasn’t broken. Bring her back please!!!
I will no longer be watching Home and Family. Why are you firing someone who is so talented and lovely and such an integral part of the show for years. Big mistake!!!!!! And if it is age related then that is even worse. If the world is always demanding diversity then that means age groups as well!!! Your viewing audience is not only people under 35 years of age. Thought Hallmark was smarter than that.
I am so disappointed in the Network. I will not be watching like before. I wonder if their ultimate goal was to hurt the show. Shame on them!!!we will miss you but we will look for you Christina. Shame on Woody!
I so sorry and very disappointed for the change. When you change key players or people the show is not the same .Two weeks and is not the same all ready.Mark is not the same as not the show ….No one is the same looks like walking on eggs shell…WHO NEXT?/