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 will miss Cristina. She represented the “home and family”. My opinion, just my opinion, is that she let go due to the beautiful prayer she gave on the show. I can’t recall which one it was but I think it was at Dollywood. She prayed “in the name of Jesus” and it might have been too much for the politically correct network. Cristina had class, elegance, down to earth and the “mom” of the show. I used like Mark, until I listened to his daily lie about Christina being on “well deserved vacation”. Debbie represents Hollywood, does not seem… Read more »
I might be wrong, but I thought the entire time at
Dollywood, while she did a beautiful job cooking,
interacting with Dolly and her prayer, normal sweet graciousness, she seemed very sad. I thought that the whole time, she distanced herself from Mark,
was a bit distracted, just not normal her happy self.
I imagine she had committed to go and the
network dumped this on her, just before the trip.
If so, they are nastier than we even knew.
I wonder how fast their ratings will tank, anyone
know how that works? I hope the spiral is fast.
I also thought she looked sad during the time at Dollywood but she was as always very professional. I started watching Home and Family soon after retired. The show quickly became a comfort and like a friend during a time of transition. Debbie is very nice and was enjoyable on her limited segments but she is definitely NOT host material. I doubt the show will be able to continue much longer. SO sad.
During the time at Dollywood; Cristina had blank look in her eyes; made me think she had a medical issue. I like Mark but he always delivered the some what sarcastic jokes and I believe Woody and the writers wanted Mark to deliver the punch lines (jokes) and Cristina always smoothed things over. Mark was doing his JOB. Debbie you belong on the red carpet format, if you really want to win us over you need to tone down. Watch the old shows and learn from Cristina. I love the show and I want to continue to be loyal fan.… Read more »
I am very sad that Cristina will not be co hosting the show anymore because I think she is a very classy beautiful woman. She and Mark did a wonderful job together. However I love all the other peeps on the show too… The show is more than just Cristina and I will continue to watch because I love all the others!! I don’t like change but I know it must happen sometimes. I pray the show will continue on even though I will really miss Cristina
As much as I wish and hope that the CEO would have the common sense to bring Cristina back I doubt they will. What a dirty, sneaky thing to do to someone who MAKES that program. None of us will know what happened behind the scenes. Cristina, come out with a “tell all” and let the chips fall where they may. We all love you and will NEVER watch “Sad Home & Broken Family” and the Hallmark channel again.
What were you thinking? Christina made the show! Shame on you. I won’t watch anymore!
Christina is the head figure “mom” of the show. Her chemistry with Mark was real and so refreshing. Debbie is all show and very much about herself. I have been a loyal fan for years. I record and watch it everyday and have since the Chuch Woolery days. It saddens me, but I will no longer watch Home and Family.
Woody informed Cristina way over a month ago! He, over 80 years old and supposedly a very close friend was the culprit. Cristina was very hurt and devastated. I don’t know how she kept her beautiful smile especially at Dollywood. I have lost all respect for Hallmark the way this was handled. The lies for almost three weeks now. Yes it was due to age. They’re hoping for younger viewers but they do not realize that the younger will not wish to pay extra to have the Hallmark channel or purchase their products. HUGE mistake! I as many thousands of… Read more »
Woody is over 80 years old and is responsible for this decision??? Well maybe the problem is Woody should have been let go before he made such a Stupid decision!!! Obviously he is incapable of doing his job!!! Dumb Dumb Dumb.
Janet. I keep the Hallmark channel i’m dump Hallmark Channel from my Directv package. They won’t let you anyway .
About four years ago I had a traumatic you’re losing my baby sister and then being diagnosed with a rare disease undergoing surgery for multiple tumors which did not go well and consequently I suffer from chronic pain. I used to be a nurse case manager coordinator and ironically I had a Sag card years ago and I am also an artist. I sadly became disabled so my mornings could be pretty hard for me until I discovered a show on the Hallmark Channel called Home and Family. I have followed this show for 4 years and somehow my mornings… Read more »
I am extremely disappointed Home and Family Executives!! I have been a fan since the 90s and I only started watching again when Cristina Joined the show!. She has so much experience, knowledge, sincerity & class that I always enjoy her celebrity interviews! Christina does such a good job of teaching organization skills and hospitality as well as cooking and so much more! I pay extra to get the Hallmark Channel, which should be included in the basic packages because it is for Families! But without Cristina or Cedar Cove… I may rethink the extra expense. Woody, I Hope you… Read more »
I watched the show when it was her and Chuck and loved it. And was upset when it went off the air. Or he left the show. Now she is not going to be there. I don” t know. Lately the crafts are lame and the rest of it is not much better. I record the show and fast forward through most of it. I like Mark and Debbie both but I don’t know. You will have to draw me back in. Your not a family in more. Family sticks together. You don’t throw family away.
Cristina Ferrare embodied what the Home and Family show was all about, and what the Hallmark channel “appeared” to be about. The way this change was handled was disrespectful to both Cristina and the viewers. So much for integrity. The show is no longer believable. Shame on those who handled this so poorly and ruined a good program with valuable information.
Home and family – not supposed to give up and throw a person off. Hallmark is family oriented and to get rid of Cristina is just wrong. Debbie is a sweet person but no one should be replaced. Many of the Hallmark fans watch because Cristina made one feel like we were part of the family. So sad that the ones in charge are less than kind. Money money money. Hallmark was supposed to be the wholesome channel. Sad. We will always have a place in our hearts for Cristina. Very sad to see this happen so abruptly especially with… Read more »
Just not the same anymore without Christina — miss that certain spark that makes the show. Please come back
I was very disappointed with Hallmarks decision to let Cristina go. Why ruin a good thing. I will no longer be watching. Bet there won’t be a season 6.
I will not watch this show anymore. I think it was a big mistake to replace Cristina by Debbie.
I wish all the best for Cristina.
Woody ( the producer?) Dumb move!! Debbie seems like a dear but there is NO way anyone can fill Cristina’s shoes. So sorry for all of us for the bad decision that was made to let her go.