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 watched the new show with Debbie…didn’t like it. Christina has so much more class. I feel ratings will drop
I was very shocked, Cristina made the show, she was the Barbara Walters of daytime viewing, the show is awful without her, lacks the essence the pizzazz and it’s simply boring, Debbie after a bit is simply not someone you want to continue watching, Cristina was soothing and known for years as a familiar face in your household, her voice was soothing and paired with her co-star as the matriarch and someone he looked up too was fascinating to watch, Crustina was real portrayed real interest in every facet, Debbie is way too excited appearing fake and shallow Producers out… Read more »
I am no longer watching Home and Family. Christina was the reason I watched. She was full of grace and love for all. I loved the Holiday prayers and the Home and Family Thanksgiving and Christmas shows, I believed in the “Family feel” to this show, but when you can just get rid of one of the family members just like that, it just isn’t right, my heart hurts. I thought Home and Family was all about that. Sad. I don’t understand how everyone on the show can just go on like nothing. Oh, yeah the money. Good old Hollywood… Read more »
All the show members should have walked out until they brought Cristina back. She would have done that for them.
Yes I feel she would have also!
Personally feel Christina was the experienced one and matriarch of the show. Her age is not a problem for me but more of a plus. She was down to earth, great companion host for Mark, and handled all the other high pitched, squeaky women blabbing on and on. Christina is graceful, attractive, and comes across as someone you’d like to know personally. I like the others on the show but now you don’t have the lead to reel them in! The relaxed fun feel of the show is now more giddy and annoying. Poor choice network.
No longer watch the show, don’t like Debbie. Loved Christina!!
No longer watch the show, don’t like Debbie. Loved Christina.
I really enjoyed Christina. I miss her charm & special attention she gave to each & everyone on the show. That is what drew me to her. She made everyone feel part of the family. So Sad!
I miss Christina in the show, she added a sense of class that the show now lacks. I still watch the show because nothing else is on that is of interest to me in my viewing area.
Christina was the main reason I started watching the show years ago and it is just not the same without her. Since she left, watching Home and Family is no longer a daily priority and certainly not as enjoyable. I agree with all the other’s comments here, and probably won’t continue watching. I certainly won’t watch regularly, like I used to! Christina and Mark were a good team. Sad to see Christina booted out.
Is it because of her age? I thought she did a great job, I think you did her a disservice. I will watch the show but feel you were wrong.
Christina was the show. She is sophisticated, genuinely compassionate, and brought such a warmth and good feeling to the show. I thought she was temporary gone do to illness, but now I have learned she has been replaced. I am really sad to hear that and your discision to replace her was not for the shows best interest. She is a special lady.
I feel this was the wrong mkve and wrong
Person to replace her with in the show.
I will no longer watch but wish you well.
Debbie left the view for a reason because
She didnt work ther either. SHE THINKS ITS ALL SBOUT HER AND ITS NOT. SHE NEEDS TO STOP INTERUPTING OTHERS. GIVE HER A BOOK
OF MANNERS…. SHE NEEDS IT!
So brin Christina BACK!!!!!!!!!!!! SOON!
I will not continue to watch because Christina is gone. Debbie is just too loud and rowdy.
I loved the show and Cristina Ferrare was the glue who brought all of those diverse personalities work together. Sadly, without Christine, the show has already become a step-child of it’s former self and I have better things to do than waste any more time watching waiting for Christine to return, (sadly someone forgot to tell the people who are there everyday watching!) I’m not name calling, I just think whoever was responsible for this decision was truly asleep at the wheel. This was an “A” Team Captain and without her you clearly have a poor high-school sounding and acting… Read more »
I will no longer watch the show or Hallmark channel Hallmark did not consider the fans before making this decision They should of fired Mark instead he actually ruins the show and does not fit
AGREE!