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?
Christina put the HOME in Home and family. You should be ashamed of yourself for firing her. Debbie is not a gentle sole and if people wanted to watch and entertainment show they would tune into entertainment tonight or the like.
It is a disappointment to know that Christina will no longer be on the show.. She brought class, Joy, to her audience.
When I learned Cristina had been replaced, I wondered why. Is it because of her Christian beliefs. That is why I watched it and since she is no longer a part of it, I will not be watching any more.
I am extremely disappointed that they let their best family member go. She was the heat of the show. Debbie is very talented. But I don’t trust her, since her pregnancy announcement. I thought her so called marriage was a lie. Also, the way everything was handled, was not the family loving show that I thought it was. .I have stopped watching. And removed home and family off of my DVR. I have also stopped watching all Hallmark movies.
I am so disappointed that you fired the best hostess you had. I am not a fan of that greek chic you put in her place ( what a mistake). She is all about herself. I will not watch anymore. Did you really watch her actions before you put her in that position, she talks greek and buts in when anybody is talking which is very rude. Goodbye home and family. Finished watching.
I was so disappointed to find out Christina will no longer co-host Home and Family. She brought elegance and class to the show mixed with warmth and heart. The whole thing was handled poorly, fans were hit hard with this. I won’t be watching anymore.
I just saw the picture of Mark and Christina together and it just literally makes me heartsick. I loved them together and I feel like I’ve lost a friend. I won’t be watching any more. What a shabby way to treat Christina!
Once upon a time, M-F, a lovely lady extended her arms in “welcome, welcome” into her home and you entered as family.
Those days are gone and have been replaced with two people reading from teleprompters in a stilted and by rote manner.
I’m no longer welcomed in and this is no longer a loving family.
HF as I knew, it no longer exists.
I am shocked Hallmark removed Christina in this manner. She is one of the main reasons I watch the show. She is genuine and real. Hallmark represents itself as representing family and heart. If the treatment of Christina represents “heart” then Hallmark is as phony as the rest of Hollywood. Such a shame when most people who watch want a show that is genuine and has integrity.
If it isn’t broken, why fix it?
I was speechless when it was announced that Christina was being
replaced by Debbie! Christina was so real and down to earth. What was
Hallmark thinking? I could never be a fan again. Debbie is so phony and
selfcentered. She is too hard for me to watch!!! I love all the others on the
show and will miss watching but BIG BIG BIG mistake!!!
So sorry that you felt you also needed an self absorbed blonde to strutting in front of the cameras. You just fired the best person on your show. You claim to be the heart of TV……where was your heart for Cristina? She has a huge fan base and we will no longer watch home and family. Cristina and Mark worked! Why did you mess with it.
DIY channel here I come! Sick of debbie way back at christmas! All about her!
You just fired the glue that held the program together. Just became a fan about 6 months ago. Now I must look elsewhere. The tone of the program has changed- no Christina.
I watch Home & Family everyday and tell people about the show all the time. I will miss Christina very much!!! I like Debbie a lot, but it doesn’t get any better than Mark & Christina as the host.
How could you! !!!!
I like Debbie but she is no Christina. She & Mark were so good together. I will have to reconsider if I will still watch. I may have to cancel the Hallmark Channel.
Along with the others, I am sorely disappointed!!! Christina is what set the show apart from every other show. Now it will be plain old tv as usual, I might as well watch NBC/ABC/CBS. I had thought Hallmark was into being original. No longer a fan!!!