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 without Christina.. change is not always better..like Billy Bush..not a fan of him! Like my opinion matters ,they do what they want..
I miss Kristina. Debbie seems to want to “take over” each segment & be the center of attention. Maybe separate segments without the other host would be good? Please bring Kristina back! Maybe you’re trying to gain a younger audience but you’re going to lose this viewer.
I have been wondering what happened to Cristina. Such a disappoinment. . Debbie is not as personable as Cristina. Debbie is too up tight and does not seem comfortable in that position. She appears to be “acting” and does not seem to really listen to her guest, and relies on script for every word. . Cristina was down to earth and much more approachable that Debbie. Please reinstate Cristina. I no longer watch the show, because without Cristina it has really gone down hill.
will no longer watch
I loved Cheistine and am so sorry for her departure! It was wonderful seeing a more mature person hosting a show and seeing life frim a more mature point of view!
Sad Christina will no longer be on the program. Don’t care much for Debbie. I will no longer be watching Home and Family.
I thought Cristina was boring and acted like she didn’t know what was going on half the time.
I want Christina back on Home & Family without her the image of “Family” & the importance of it that the show has worked years to portray is tarnished. No offense to Debbie at all she really is great, but as one of the participants of the show and not as a co-host. I’m not sure if its that Debbie is less experienced or too fast paced about everything almost as though she were in a rush to complete a checklist, but there’s just something missing in the show now. With Christina the flow of the show was more natural… Read more »
I think Christina is a better co-host and I liked her kindness and enthusiasm which didn’t seem forced. Also I appreciated that she didn’t act like a teenager but a mature lady. . Debbie acts too young for her age. Plus the guy is acting like he’s trying too hard. Liked him with Christina as “balance.” Won’t watch the show very often.
By the way, I don’t like Debbie either, which seems to be the general consensus of this whole thread. She is way way too full of herself! As my grandmother use to say, “I would love to buy Debbie for what she is really worth, and sell her her for what she think she’s worth”!! I would be a rich woman. Do your avid followers a favor Hallmark, put Christina back on the show…..
I will not watch the show again until Christina Ferrare is reinstated as a cohost.
I was watching a recorded episode and kept wondering who the guest host was and hoping she would shut up. Found out she was the replacement host and she never did shut up. So she is friends with the trailer trash Kardashians? Really? Very impressive especially for a touted family show. Hallmark just needs to go ahead and get Hustler to sponsor them. It’s a pathetic attempt to boost ratings by giving up quality. I won’t watch again. It’s painful to watch now.
I loved the show with Christina and Mark. Every time Christina left for vacation I took a break from watching. She was my favorite. I have never been able to tolerate Debbie..way too animated and always looks like she is trying too hard. Not a natural. Christina is a natural as the host. I am done watching the show. Especially when the holidays will be upon us. I will truly miss Christina. Wish her all the best.
She was such a good host…so smart and a beautiful person. How can your “family” replace their patriarch. Debbie’s OK but she’s no Cristina.
I think it is a terrible idea replacing Cristina Ferrate. She was the main reason that I watched the show. Just won’ t be the same. Not sure I will still watch. What were they thinking!!