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 am not watching the show anymore but I am recording many of them. Today I watched several of the shows that I have recorded and one of them was from the Labor Day show and the members were talking about their memories of season 4. It really hit home that no memories included Cristina no pictures included Cristina it is like she never existed and she was a very important part of making the show the success that it was. I think Debbie was fine when she was a guest on the show but believe me she is not… Read more »
This action cannot possibility improve ratings.
New cohost was okay as a guest, but she does not have the grace or charm possessed by Cristina!
I watched EVERYDAY, but I haven’t since the change. Its just not the same and anymore and it saddens me.
Shame on you to let her go the way you did…
l no longer watch since Christina is gone.
I liked Christina she was fun and made you feel at home in the show. I do not like the new person, just because she is younger doesn’t mean she is a better host. Hallmark has been making a lot of bad decisions on their shows, this is just one of them another is Cedar Cove they didn’t even have the common courtesy to end the show by having all the stories end. They just stopped the show with everything hung in the air. I always had respect for Hallmark but not anymore, they are just greedy owners just like… Read more »
Shame on you Hallmark-dont’t make things appear like a wholesome, family oriented channel & then fire a great person! If it’s a “FamilyNetwork”-you dont kick family to the curb! No offense to Debbie but I truly liked the friendship n banter between Cristina & Mark! Won’t be watching anytime soon! Lost another fan of the show-hope it is worth it!!!!! Prayers to you Cristina-you were great, and a huge part of why I tuned in. You will be soo missed! Blessings to any new endevor-hope to ser you back on TV soon! Good bye Hallmark-that is NOT how to treat… Read more »
No I will not watch anymore since Christina is no longer Host!
Really enjoyed Christina Ferrare she was a big part of your show please bring her back
I do not like the show with Debbie being co=host / Christina was better
No, I won’t be watching the show anymore. I loved Christina hosting it. I not only enjoyed her on Oprah a few years back, but I remember her as a young woman in a movie where she was the daughter of David Niven and love interest of Chad Everett. She is a contemporary; I am 65. With the bulk of the population being baby boomers, as well as the fact that we boomers have by far the most disposal income (hello advertisers) I am surprised by the decision to replace her with the woman who flunked The View. Younger woman,… Read more »
At first I thought Christina might be on vacation and that Debbie was filling in. I like Debbie but was surprised that she replaced Christina. Christina and Mark had a great chemistry. I no longer watch the program.
I have watched since Christina has left, but no dice. Not sure what happen behind the curtains but the show has changed. I miss Christina’s reactions to situations, her humor and her sincerity. I can see the hurt in the cast about Christina being let go and feel they all sincerely care for each other and are doing their best on camera to carry on without her. Kudos to all of you at Home and Family for giving it your all under this kind of stress, but its just not working 🙁 So sad. As for my opinion about the… Read more »
It is no longer the “Home and Family” I grew to love. Cristina was the best part of the show. She was always so poised and sophisticated, at the same time so down to earth, kind and caring toward her guests and coworkers. I don’t care if it was just “business” that was the reason Debbie Metanopolis accepted the offer to replace Cristina as the co-host. Friendship should have come first. I now have no desire to nor will I ecer watch Home and Family again. I lost all respect for Hallmark and Debbie Metanopolis. Shame on you both.
If Christina’s departure was due to her age, SHAME on Hallmark. We’re not all 30 and ‘Twiggy’ shaped.
The show is not the same since Cristina left. She brought a spark to the show that is not there now.
I no longer care to watch and I hate such a rotten decision was made.