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 so sad to see Christina was let go and is no longer on the show. Also think the way it was handled is not Hallmarks original style and way of doing things. Will no longer be watching the show. Debbie is sweet and nothing against her, it just isn’t the same now. 🙁 Big mistake. Don’t fix something that’s not broken!
No, I will not watch anymore… Mainly because of the way the network handled the whole thing… I just can’t believe this was Christina’s fault.. She deserves better than that…
I am soooooooo saddened by this. Cristina and Mark as a duo made the show tick. They complimented each other without over stepping. Debbie is the sweetest, but sometimes just “too” much and overwhelming. Cristina was so warm, comforting and “family”. I’ve been wondering what happened. I think this switch out was a huge mistake.
Miss you, Cristina!
Well, I will need to find another show to watch. This is very disappointing. Christina is a warm and comfortable person with style and grace. She made you feel like you could sit down with her and have a conversation like you had known her for years. A person that was always looking out for you and could help solve any problem or knew someone who could. I tried watching the new person but, I liked her better in her old position. Host does not fit. The show does not make you feel welcomed it feels fake. Like everyone needs… Read more »
I feel sad that Christina was let go. I loved watching her, she is the real deal. Older women can still look beautiful, can be funny, loving, she is down to earth. I will miss watching her. Debbie is pretty and a skinny minnie. I love watching all of the Home & Family. Maybe put Christina on a new show for 55 or 60 and over women who battle working, family, grandkids, menopause (hot flashes still continue), retirement, husbands, aches and pains, food etc
I love Debbie too, however the show just isn’t “quite right” without Christina. I find that I don’t watch very often now.
I’m sorry to say that I previously didn’t watch the show because Mark’s co-host wasn’t a personality I enjoyed watching. The body language expressed a sort of “uptight-ness”. I really love watching Mark and I’m hoping that Debbie doesn’t “over do” it by over compensating for Christine’s drab and standoffish co-hosting personality. A fake, overly excited host is the worst and would encourage us to change the channel.
To Mark and his new co-host: Best wishes for a fun and relaxed season 5 🙂
I watched the show for Christina. Her bright smile and fun spirit will missed at my home. I am no longer interested watching without her. Hallmark will only be watched during holiday movie time now at my house.
Have not tuned in even a quarter of the time since Christina left. Hallmark made a big mistake. It seems that Hallmark is changing all around. Another big mistake. Who ever is in charge doesn’t “fit” with what Hallmark has always been.
I watched because Christina brought such an energy to the show. I will no longer watch Home and Family. Very disappointing!!!
So disappointed to learn that Christina left the show. She is so special and elegant and offered a point of view of maturity and wisdom. Her love of people, her family, and the value of home and community was genuine and a refreshing change on TV. I loved her recipes and funny, uplifting spirit. She had great cemistry with Mark and her co-workers. I am not really interested in watching another young face as a co host. Will have to skip the show now. Hallmark made a mistake and don’t expect the show to last.
I loved watching Christina…I loved the connection between the two hosts…I don’t feel the new host is homey enough, this is not an attack but I don’t feel the warm fuzzys with her….I won’t watch on a regular basis anymore…I may tune in to see if it changes…even Mark seems more stiff with her!!!!!
Very sorry that Christina is no longer on H&F I feel she was a better match 🙁
I loved Cristina Ferrare, I can’t watch the show anymore out of loyalty and respect, she was the best and essentially “made” the show for me. I hate it she’s gone. I’ll wait to watch a program that she turns up on.