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 loved Christina. Hate that she is not on the program anymore. Debbie has the job now so why can’t she calm down and get out of everyone’s face. She makes me nervous. Come on and give those of us out here that will still support you a favor and ask Debbie to tone it down. She interrupts a guest. Come on.
Will no longer watch show
Debbie does not have what it takes, to be a co-host at all. She leaves a bad taste in my mouth the way she presents herself. She might do well on a comedy show or a slinky program. I really enjoyed the previous co-host, she brought a lot to the program and made it what it was. Mark’s wife is adorable and would probably make an excellent co-host. Come on Home & Family. Let’s take the trash out.
I think it was handled very poorly by Hallmark and I won’t be watching. I will miss Christina. She was very sweet and was a good on-air partner for Mark.
The show has changed since Cristina is no longer there. It doesn’t feel warm and genuine like it did. That was the reason I started watching the show.
From the beginning promos of home and family it was obvious that there was some tension between Mark and Christina. I feel like it all lie on Mark he seemed to have no patience for her he made fun of her he tolerated her and she is so professional and sweet on-camera talented an excellent show host since her departure I have refused to watch the show and have not watched since Debbie has become the co-host. I don’t have a problem with Debbie I just feel like that there’s more to it then just that they fired her?? Mark… Read more »
EXACTLY, well said!!!
I think it’s sooo wrong that Cristina was fired, people make mistakes and deserve a 2nd chance especially for her fans. We as fans deserve answers. I hope the H&F bring her back we miss her. She made the show with Mark.
I don’t watch the show any more. I think Christina and Mark had better chemistry than he and Debbie. Christina was just so unpretentious, and warm, you felt like you were one of her good friends. Really, really disappointed, Hallmark.
Is she still married to Mark the host?
She was never married to mark??!!
I stopped watching….the new co-host is so fake She doesn’t have a personal feel Loved the show but not thesame family feel
I wondered what happened to Cristina until one day I googled it I was very sadden to hear she had been replaced and by such a fake, phoney camera hungry person. Cristina made the show what it is. I really like Kym Douglas and Mark really needs to stop putting her down it really makes him look bad. Mark and Debbie talk about being people of faith but actions speak louder than words, family don’t turn on other family members for ratings disgraceful. I feel mark had a lot to do with Cristina being let go shame on him.
I completely 1000% agree with you! I used to watch H&F daily but I kept noticing a common trend: Mark and his constant interruptions during other staff’s segments and his endless bullying (call it what it is) toward Kym. Christina seemed to always be the one to bring Mark down off his high horse and do her best to control his immature behavior. She handled it with such grace and style. But what made me finally stop was when they started the game “Read My Lips”. I was sick! As a deaf person, I was appalled by this, even to… Read more »
Yes so distasteful! AGREE!!!
Completely agree!
I am so disappointed in Hallmark for letting Christina go. It was a bad choice to let her go in my opinion. However, I don’t have all the details. I had waited for years to see her back on a show and was thrilled when she joined H & F. I have not been watching but a couple of times since she left. I thought she was on vacation. I have always liked Debbie on her segments as well as the rest of the cast. However, she does not measure up to the co-host Christina is. Mark and Christina are… Read more »
I don’t watch the show since Cristina left. The main reason I watched was it has it’s warm family environment show. All others doesn’t have the warm feeling of being welcomed to my living room. So, Debbie brings something that all other shows has, therefore, don’t like to watch Home & Family any more, I’m done. But Thank you, Cristina, really liked you on the show you bring warmth for people to watch TV, again.
No I don’t like that they let her go. And no I don’t like her replacement. And no I will not watch the show any longer. Because Christina made the show work. She has the personality for it, and I feel that she was the show. She was the star of the show attracting all ages to watch.
DUMB DECISSION!
I really miss Christina, I do think Debbie does a good job but not at ALL better than Christina! I really hope that don’t let Kim leave or I leave!