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 watched Home and Family every day and looked forward to it. Now I can’t relate to the people at all. I miss Cristina and the old gang! They all worked well together, I felt like I was visiting with family every day. I think it was a BIG mistake gearing the show to the younger generation. They are out working and not watching TV at all. It’s us older folk who watch all the time as we are home to be able to do so. I DO NOT watch anymore even though I have tried. It just isn’t there… Read more »
I think Mark felt threatened that his show was being taken over by Christina who was obviously doing a much better job.
I miss Cristina!!! I have tried watching since she is no longer on the show and the show no longer has the same warm feeling that it did when she was there! Please bring back Cristina!!! All of her fans miss her!
It’s such a shame!!! We like you Cristina!!
Apparently, the Home & Family execs were so distanced from their customer base, they didn’t think what would be the impact of such a change, or they didn’t care. It is happening all across the networks in an attempt to appeal to a younger audience. If they were truly doing their homework, they would realize the younger base has little interest in television, they want immediate info or gratification via snippets, chat rooms, tweets, etc; short term, quick info then move on to the next topic. One less show for me to watch. Good-bye!
I DVR’d the show every day and watched it repeatedly. It is no longer the same. It hurts my heart, but I am no longer interested. I never watch anymore.
I started watching the show because I’ve always admired Cristina and what her personality did for the show. Without her, the “family” part is missing and with no mention of her at all, I’m disappointed and confused in the way you handled her absence from the show as far as her fans are concerned, perhaps you didn’t think we’did notice, we did! Best of luck to Debbie, but the show no longer has the “family” appeal to it, just another talk show now. Thanks for the last four seasons Christina, you will be missed, best of luck in whatever your… Read more »
Was trying to give the show a chance. I do miss Cristina—-stopped watching for a time because I thought she was on vacation. Nothing grabs my attention any more. Guess my watching in the past was more for entertainment and got some info thrown in as a bonus. Oh well, don’t need to watch so much TV anyway.. thanks for helping me get off the couch……
Very disappointed on the absence of Christina I will no longer watch the show what happened to be respectful on how you treat people that have helped put the show where it is but she is a strong person she will be fine
i really miss chrisitina she was very good and i no longer watch it is not the same for me
VERY disappointed Hallmark fired Christina!!!!!! Christina and Mark together made a great show.You don’t do that to family. VERY disappointed.
I’m sad and surprised. Christina was so genuine, warm, talented, not to mention beautiful! I hope to see her again in another show.
I loved seeing a fashionable, mature, beautiful woman on the show. With a panel of young women (who may or may not have a home or family), I don’t find the show as interesting. Let us know where you go Christina!!!
I will not be watching home a family any more.liked christiana,do not care for new cohost.did the same when micheal left live with kelly and micheal.
I am a professional with a lot of disposable income. You would think that Hallmark would want to appeal to my demographic. I like Christina because she was real; not a Barbie doll.