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 think that Cristina Ferrare was a big part of the show and I will not watch
I since have quit watching Hallmark. Why they let Christina go is not a family to me that I would want. I do keep up with Paige, Ken and Kym online. Next they will say that Mark is to old next to Debbie and go for someone younger. Disrespectful and the fact they seem to think age needs to be young was foolish. The largest crowd is the baby boomers all who are in Christian’s age area. Plus retired seniors who loved watching an icon still being beautiful and graceful on the screen. I guess they have to learn that… Read more »
Very, very disappointed in Hallmark for their decision to replace Cristina. I totally agree with the other sentiments expressed here. Cristina projected warmth and class. I agree with the comment also about the probable age group of the people who watch this show being somewhat older so it seems Hallmark might be wise and listen to those who watch(ed) the show.
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Shame on Home and Family.
The show is not the same and although I looked forward to 4 hours of it each day(as I had time to watch), I will not be tuning in any longer. You made a big mistake by losing Cristina!
I really like Christina very much. I have missed her on the show. Debbie is ok doing the co-host, but Christina added a special feeling of warmth and Stanley to the program. There are times when I do not finish watching the show because I feel it’s too silly at times because of Debbie’s reactions to things.
I can’t imagine why you split up our(viewers) divorced the mom and pop, or the grandma and grandpa of our Home and FAMILY…..It was the FAMILY aspect of this program that made it SO SPECIAL……It gave all of your viewers a happy family, that helped each other through the good and bad times, and the FAMILY was growing as a modern day happy family to give all of your viewers hope that that if a Hollywood television family from the new members(babies and guests and cast, to the warmth and seasoned Mark and Christina a HOME filled with an ever… Read more »
Christina Ferrare IS “Home & Family!” Without her the show will lack the warmth and friendliness she so effortlessly provided. I didn’t care for Debbie when she was on “The View” years ago and I like her a lot less now. I will no longer watch “Home & Family.” So sad to see a good show go bad!
I like Cristina Ferrare! Enough said!!
I will no longer watch Home and Family now that Christine is no longer there. She was the only “real” person on that show, frankly sharing her feelings, struggles and successes with her own “Home and Family”. Now the show is just another entertainment magazine. Hallmark…you bombed with this choice!
I’m sorry to say that I am no longer watching Home and Family. Believe me, I tried, but I just don’t care for the show anymore. Cristina added a kind of class that, I’m sorry to say, Debbie doesn’t. I liked Debbie in her role before, but just can’t stomach her as co-host, too showoffish (my new word). I’m 67 and looked forward to the show everyday after I retired. Sorry to say, that’s not the case now. Very disappointed in your decision.
The bottom line is Hallmark thinks Cristina is too old and Debbie and Mark are more age appropriate for the show.
But does anyone remember that Barbara Walters replaced Debbie on The View years ago.
Typical… Men are allowed to show their age, it’s acceptable. Women, on the other hand, are always replaced with a “younger model”. So disappointed with Hallmark.
No I will no longer be watching home and family either! That was a big mistake and Debbie is too abrasive.
I will not watch the show any longer. You are idiots
I will no longer be watching hallmark channel Christina the best thing about that show.
I agree, I will no longer watch the Hallmark channel. Wrong move replacing her. Cristina did a wonderful job. Why replace the woman……….what abot the guy on their. I am not crazy about him!!!!