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?
So sad by her departure… Cristina was the reason I was watching.. A natural I have been a fan of hers since her” impossible years “” movie I can relate to her in all aspects of life..Debbie!! There is not much there for me too fake.. Sorry! There are already a lot of shows out there for the younger audience!! This should have stayed as is..
Such class a true lady!! Can’t say that about Hollywood today.. Do not watch
Good choice to replace Christine. She to me, was dragging the show down. She was “cornball” at times to say the least, almost “dingy”. Debbie gives the show a new breathe of air, youth fullness and I’m 60 years old. I enjoy the show much more that Christine is gone, I had gotten to where it was hard to watch because of her, she was beginning to grate on my nerves. Sorry, but I’m just being truthful on how I feel. Debbie and Mark make a good team, they seem natural together and read each other well.
I think that a mistake was made you have replaced Christine and you also have replaced Tanya Mennie I just don’t enjoy the show that much any more. In fact I used to tape the show so I wouldn’t miss a show now I don’t
I quit watching the show because of Christina, I thought she was so annoying and often inappropriate, always acting like she was a teenybopper. I think Debbie is a breathe of fresh air and charming, I look forward to watching this show once again.
I only watched the show because of Christina I don’t watch anymore just not the same without her
I too am very disappointed that Cristina is gone. I can’t believe they would ruin the whole show like that. Now the only thing worth watching on Home and Family is Kim and Sophie, but since they are only segments of the show and not cohosts I feel this show is no longer worth watching. Goodbye from a prior faithful watcher.
I have watched the show with the new co-host. I just thought Christina was on vacation. Now that I know the truth, I don’t want to watch anymore. It is not the same. Christina made the show exciting. She is full of life and it’s just not the blah.
I liked Christina, but I think Debbie and Mark are much better combatable. I had watched it occasionally with Christina but she acted more like Mark’s mother than a co-host. I am watching on a regular basis now. Good decision Hallmark.
I’m very disappointed that Christina is not on Home and Family. I agree with Maggie that she should start her own morning show! That show is NOT the same! Loved waking up and turning Home and Family on in the morning. Won’t happen anymore!
I just can’t watch anymore. Not the same without her.
So disappointed!! Christina was the reason I watched Home and Family. She was Home and Family! Christina, maybe you should think about your own show on a different network?
Always enjoyed Cristina what a great role model for us over 50, so sad that today tv is only pushing young, attractive hosts, guess us “older folks” with money and time don’t matter. Wishing her well in her future endeavors. Sorry Hallmark Home and Family is no longer watchable for me.
Hate it now will not be watching the show now
Just not the sàme.
I never cared for Debbie M. She loves the spotlight to a fault and to the point that I groaned whenever she had a segment. I cannot believe they did this. Christina is a natural, no pretense about her; Debbie is the exact opposite. Christina is the reason I watched the show. Hallmark, you blew it big time. I won’t be watching anymore.
I miss Cristina , she was a pleasure to watch every day and I felt she was really the cornerstone of the show . She is the main reason I watched. I am sad that such a vibrant person could be treated so shabbily and with such disrespect. Just to disappear, without acknowledging her contribution to The show. As far as I’m concerned her replacement has some very big shoes to fill . Family Channel ? I think not
I will not watch home & family anymore!!! I liked Christina She was why I watched , she could relate to everyone . Debbie does NOT fit in !!!!!!