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?
Hard to watch the show now. They seem to be trying to hard. Debbie does not belong in the kitchen. Show hasn’t been the same since Cristina left.
Oh no,,,, I don’t want to watch the show know if Chrtina isn’t going to be on it any more , I feel that was a little dirty of the show to get someone younger ! She made the show !!! How sad
I tried to watch without cristina but I just cant she was the heart and soul of the show and mark and woody betrayed her she helped mark a lot during his seraration and divorce I just cant believe they did this to ristina it truly is NOT a family
Well said, Johanna. The betrayal is a big part of why I cannot watch anymore.
I find both ladies equally irritating
Sorry but I will no longer watch and removed from my Pinetrest page. The show no longer has my interest without Christina.
I find both ladies equally irritating.
I just wish all the cryptic posts from Mark and Kym would finally be cleared up. They keep implying things yet no one is explaining to the fans. Perhaps fans wouldn’t be so upset if the entire story was calmly explained. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t just say this is what happened blah blah blah, and let the fans determine if they choose to believe it or not. I guess people are entitled to their privacy but in this case getting the “whole story” out there might really clear the air.
The way I look at it, they should have bent over backwards to do what Cristina wanted. I don’t even care if she was a diva. She made that show, thats the truth, so whatever they have to say means nothing to me. The show is nothing out of the ordinary now but with Cristina, it was warm and homey. I am not saying Cristina was difficult, but that is what they are implying. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Don’t expect the show to last long with a 41 year old woman who acts like a child. Just… Read more »
Where are you reading Cryptic post from Mark and Kym? I’d like to read them. Are they on the Hallmark H&M facebook?
Off the top of my head, Kym had posted a very depressing response about friends hurting you under a comment someone had made under her picture of her having lunch with Tanya Memme (on her fb page). And I think Mark had made a long comment I think it was a response to someone’s nasty remark under a picture of the 5 year anniversary cake. It was either on his page or Home & Family. And he referenced being a journalist and how you have to have both sides of the story before you form an opinion.
Now that Christina is no longer on the show, I will not be watching the program. The only reason I ever watched was to see Christina Ferrare. What a shame that she was “fired”, she was the best part of the show. Foolish mistake…..
They had a Hallmark Channel Oprah and they ditched her. Who ever made that decision need several quick hard kicks in the back of their pants and then needs to be shown the door.
What a huge mistake – Christina will be missed. I no longer will be watching the show! I agree with several others – why not host your own show!
So sad to see another older personality be replaced for a younger one..Cristina had the charm and was a vital presence. No longer interested in. watching as she made the show what it was. Time for us that have watched it to also move on.
With Cristina gone, so am I, no more Home and Family. Hope that most of the viewers will become x viewers. Do like her facebook post with cooking ideas and her new cookbook.This is were I will be viewing her until she gets a show of her own.
Sad to see Christina leave the show it just isn’t the same without her . I watch is once in a while but I used to watch every morning, I do miss seeing Christina .
Will not be watching the show since I only watched it because of Christina. The male cohost was always dull & boring. Let us know your next show Christina!! I will definitely tune into it.!!
I think it was a BIG MISTAKE to replace Christine as she made the show real and alive…I don’t have time to watch much but liked her and Mark and Christine. The show lacks any pizazz, warmth of personality without Chrisine and I will not watch it anymore either!!!!!!