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?
The show sucks big time without Christina. She was the heart of the show and now there is a huge hole there, Hallmark is trying to fill that void with Debbie but its not working. You know a show is in trouble when they start changing their format over and over. It doesnt work without Christina. Im very disappointed with the reoccuring guests like Kym, Matt, Paige, Orly, etc because they didnt stand behind someone whom they called their best friend and because they should have stood up and refused to work without her. Im sure Christina would have done… Read more »
I have tried to watch Home and Family several times since Christina but just can’t get into it. I thought maybe she was on leave but decided to research it. Now that I know she’s not coming back I have NO desire to watch it. She made the show.
I really don’t like either of them for that show. They were obviously looking for someone younger, but Debbie is too frenetic. Someone nice and calming like Lacey Chabert, Danica McKellar, Erika Christensen or Taylor Cole would be a good fit. Cristina should be given a spot on the show…viewers who are in her age range are upset she is gone completely, including me!
Hallmark Chanel you are so wrong! The show is certainly not the same and I really don’t care to watch it without Christina. Debbie is fine but I loved to watch Christina. I am a very avid Hallmark chanel watcher but I am so disappointed in your judgement now Your definely not my favorite chanel anymore.
I just didn’t get the right vibe from the start……I really looked forward to the pairing of Mark & Paige from the start, but when that did not come to be & Cristina was the replacement ,I didn’t feel the same. I’ve watched maybe 12 minutes total in 4 years–didn’t grab me. I’m wanting to see this pairing , which is more close in age , come into their own.
Large mistake! No longer watch Home and Family! You will be off air soon.
I was wondering what happened to Cristina, now I know. I will surely miss her; she and Mark had such great chemistry together. Probably won’t be watching as much, only if there is a celeb. I want to see. In all, it is a fun show.
Hello, my name is Rene Ryan.’ I am sooo VERY upset n DISAPPOINTED with Hallmark! ! I really enjoyed the show with Christina and Mark. They made the show VERY exciting and fun! I cannot believe they would do something soo disgraceful! I’ve been watching the show since 2012. I really learned a lot with Christinas’ cooking the crafts and planting. The show would make my day. I enjoyed all the games and all the laughs. Christina and Mark were a funny pair! 🙂 I watched it everyday. I would even watch the day before episodes just because I enjoyed… Read more »
I think its horrible that they replaced Christina Ferrare!
She’s a beautiful person inside & out also had a lot to give to the show.Why replace her just cause you can get someone younger?
I will no longer becwatching
We sure (my spouse & I)sure miss Cristina . She and Mark were great together.
Yes, I agree with others, the show is not as good without her. What happened?
Sure miss my Home and Family show. Without Cristina, well, I must keep this clean, but the show now is not only boring, but has no appeal or reason for me to “waste my time” trying to find something on it worth watching. I am gone and several of my friends have left you too. Too bad, Cristina brought “Class” to the show.
If Cristina does not come back, I will no longer be watching the show. Cristina was funny, down to earth, and my age group 70-75 always watched and discussed the different subjects from the show. Jo Ann
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It’s like everything when someone or something is good it gets replace. So get over it. Get out of your rut and try something new . The show is good I learn new things from this show. If you can’t o’well you can get replace think about it.
I am extremely upset that Cristina Ferrare is gone from the show… she is PRECISELY why i watched!!!! Boring as hell now! !!! Angry… she is such a beautiful and classic person… so much joy with her there… you guys blew it
I liked Christina and her caring attitude. Now it’s the ‘Debbie’ show, the camera is always on her reactions , what an acting job. My goodness, those women, on the show are very competitive. Afraid of being fired? Wish more men interests were featured. Mark is a good guy to put up with all the drama. There are many other women with good sincere hearts that could co-host. Sorry.