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 no longer be watching the show! I’m very disappointed in what they did to Cristina!
Debbie is way too fake, not sincere or warm, and doesn’t appear to have home and family as a value at all. In contrast, Cristina has all those qualities. Mark seems completely lost with Debbie. He appeared totally grounded with Cristina. This change could not be more wrong in every way. Hallmark really screwed up in a BIG way, especially in the way they handled it. It’s not a show worth watching anymore. The people (clearly men) who made this idiotic ‘demographic’ decision should be fired.
I will no longer watch home and family.,since Christina has left
Have stopped watching Home and Family very disappointed in Cristina’s replacement
Well, no more watching the show for me. While I have nothing against the new host or Mark, Christina was the one I loved. BRING HER BACK.
hallmark made a huge mistake in replacing cristina–i’m cristina’s age and i love watching her & her show–i watched mark steines when he was with the great mary hart & he was nice enough & nice to look at but both mary hart & cristina ferrare have charisma that everyone else lacks–that watchable quality that is now gone because hallmark chose to go with a younger woman with nothing to recommend her except youth in my opinion so i’m definately no longer a viewer–may you should have polled that….
THE VIEW GOT RID OF DEBBIE 20 YEARS AGO FOR A REASON…..NUFF SAID!
I’m very disappointed in the Hallmark Channel concerning their decision to replace Cristina Ferrare. I’m wondering if Matenopoulos was chosen because she’s younger. This wouldn’t surprise me, and if that’s the reason, shame on the Hallmark Channel. I would have expected better from them. Cristina Ferrare is a large part of the reason why Home and Family has become such a success. Choosing to cast her aside this way, without even giving her a send off, is just so disrespectful.. Matenopoulos is okay, but she’s rather silly at times and lacks the warmth and realness that Cristina had. I miss… Read more »
Have been a fan of the original home show. Christina was a link to it. With her on the newer version she seemed to keep the original spirit alive and well on this version of the show. She is happy and kind-hearted and a delightful hostess on home. Much more so than the man co- host now I change the station when the show comes on unless there isu really something interesting on. Not too keen on the new hostess.
I used to be a loyal Hallmark channel watcher…no more!
What a dumb move on ;the part of Home and Family. I am Christina’s age and hove a home business. I thought maybe she was on vacation and decided to watch the show this ;week. It was terrible without Christina. Again, what a mistake. My Granddaughter loved her as well and she is only 10. It’s not too late to bring her back.
I will not watch thE SHOW ANYMORE….CHRISTINA WAS THE WHOLE SHOW…..
BOGUS! It’s one thing to loose a job because you can’t do the job, but even when it’s about the powers that be making a decision because they believe they will make more money, they should have some integrity, some morals in their decision making! All money is not good money! l LOVED Cristina as co-host, she was awesome and helped to make the show what it is. I will not be supporting or watching the show anymore.
I think they made a big mistake… Don’t like the show now that she is gone!!
If they were going to get rid do someone Mark should go. He’s NOT funny! Too much nonsense. Christina was the pro! No more HandF for me!