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?
Well, I watched Home and Family today, for the first time since July. It will be my last time. I really enjoyed Christina and her joy. Sorry, Hallmark you made a big, big mistake in replacing her.
I was very surprised to see another host on Home and Family. I thought that Christina did a great job and she was one of the reasons that I watched time and time again. She was a natural for the show. I feel that Hallmark made a terrible decision in letting her go. Big mistake on their part.
I watched the show while I took some time off work and now that I checked in once or twice this summer, I thought at first that Christina had taken the summer off. Boy, was I wrong. I couldn’t believe how the show is foundering – Debbie M. has certainly kept her career going but this is NOT it. The show has lost it’s value and interest and the elegance, authority, expertise and input of Christina have left with her. My go to cookbook is one of her early ones and I’ve been a fan ever since. I had thought… Read more »
Don’t like the new “family” and can’t stand it when they ignore a guest and talk over them. Waiting to see when the other “older” people disappear. Stienes is NO spring chicken and his arrogance is disgusting. He’s the one that should have gone. As much as I would like to see Cristina come back she be a fool if she did. She’s much better than that.
I always looked forward to seeing Cristina Ferrare on Home and Family – she drew me to the show. I no longer want to watch it since she is gone.
I am so so disappointed! I loved Christina. I always record the show to watch when I get home from work. I will no longer record the show. This was not done properly. The show is not as funny as it used to be.
I don’t watch it anymore. I really miss the dynamic with you.
I think it is sad that Christina will not be on any more. And I think that home and family needs to really think about what they have done, I will not be watching any more, You had a good thing going but now it seems that age has came into this whole miss. I think if any one had to go it should have been Mark.
Each day I tape Home & Family and watch while I have my lunch. What a disappointment the show has become. Most of it is just silly, so I am now tapng something else to watch. Debbie, and some others, are just a turn-off to me.
Surely they could have done better.
I am very disappointed that Christina was replaced on H & F. The show has lost a lot of class that only she provided since she has been replaced. I have watched the show a very long time and now that you have mostly a younger representation on your show, you have replaced many of the DIY demos and other topics that do not interest many of the older or retired women like myself. You may have gained a portion of younger viewers, but may have lost a lot more in my age category. We are the ones who have… Read more »
I also want to say I will not watch either Hallmark channel which I really enjoyed. I have already stopped watching the show.
Did not take into consideration the Hallmark products and cards.
Please bring Christina back but I am sure she will not return.
I just want to say how much I miss u Christina and have only watch one small portion of the show since you left.
On to bigger a d better things for you.
To me Christina was the heart and soul of that show along with Mark. I loved their chemistry! However once I noticed she wasn’t there and it was more than a week and a half I knew something was wrong. I have loved hallmark for their TV shows and movies but over the past few months that show has gone down hill and not for the best interest of us viewers. Once I read Christina’s fb post I immediately stopped watching. I like debbie as a person but NOT as a replacement for dear Christina. I hope this show gets… Read more »
We don’t turn our backs on family, nor do we ditch them as they age. We cherish them. Home and Family has turned impersonal. Cristina brought maturity and experience. Debbie and Mark too giddy for me. Why do you turn your backs on senior citizens? Woody is OLD. This is age discrimination. I was always taught “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” You had a gem in H&F and I no longer watch. Too many changes. Family just doesn’t treat family that way unless they are jerks. You blew it big time.
I really enjoyed Christina on Home and Family. It was really nice to see all ages represented on this show. This is not to say that the new co-host isn’t a great addition I just hate that it seems that the producer wanted a younger co-host.
This will limit your audience because I feel that she brings experiences that could benefit all ages.
i really liked christina the show doesn’t seem right without her on it.,the other lady that took her place is so very diffrent .i just feel the show should have left well enough alone..hope to see you on another show soon .miss christina..