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?
Here is my take on why Cristina was let go. First her contract was up and they chose not to renew it OR the ratings were low OR lastly they wanted someone younger. I worked in television for 24 years and that was what happened at our station. In any event I liked Cristina and am sorry she was let go. I wish her all the success in her future endeavors.
I haven’t watched since Cristina was replaced – she made the show.
I completely agree! The show no longer has the traditional “family” feeling with out her and it just seems to follow suit of the many other talk shows that I feel are a personal waste of my time, so I don’t watch them. Very disappointed in Hallmark!
I enjoyed the connection between Cristina and Mark. They really did seem like ‘family’. I haven’t ever enjoyed watching Debbie. When Debbie downsized her time on H&M I was pleased. I am so disappointed with the decision to drop Cristina from the show and am now a former viewer of Home & Family. Anxious to see what Hallmark replaces H&F with when the show is dropped.
It seemed very apparent that Mark was tolerating Christina. Too bad, as a mature woman, I felt she added a lot to the show. It seemed to me that he wanted to be the only host not cohost. I won’t keep watching the show.
Debbie is nice but Christina was more to watch. She and Mark were very entertaining and had delightful chemistry. I would rather have Christina. I have a feeling I won’t be drawn to watch the show as much as before the change. Please bring her back.
Sincerely,
So sorry that Christina is no longer with the show! No longer need to watch anymore.
Debbie is no “young chicken” and should dress appropriately.
The new livin room is not a warm and welcoming room. I would feel very uncomfortable in that room.
Miss Christina. Change is not always necessary. Sad to see Christina replaced. Not a good decision or in support of fans of the show at all.
Don’t watch the show anymore. It’s not the same without Cristina.
I no longer watch the show. Cristina was the reason I watched. She made the show and worked so well with Mark. Sorry she is gone.
I am very sad that Cristina Ferrare is not on Home & Family any longer. I have been watching since Debbie has joined as Co-host and I’m sorry to say that she just does not cut it. Cristina had a real warmth about her and what she brought to the show. She made me feel like it was actually a real family that I was watching. That feeling is gone and unfortunately so are the days of me watching the show. I will find a replacement for the show, but I am very upset that I have to do that.… Read more »
Bring Cristina Ferrare BACK! She made the show & was excellent with Mark. What fools made this decision? They need replaced. Like the old saying goes: you don’t know what you got till its gone. No offense to Debbie, I think of you more as a style expert.
I no longer watch the show as many others. She made the show. bring her back.
i have watched the show for years ….it is not the same and really without christina it will never be the same and i don`t like it at all…..please come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!or get your own show …. miss my favorite show….
No longer watch with out Cristina 🙁
I have recorded home and family daily for over 2 years. I Love the show. It WAS my favorite show. I have learned so much and enjoyed all their guests. I am very disappointed that Chistina is no longer co-host with Mark. I agree with the previous statement, that Christina has ‘”CLASS”! Debbie Laks Maturity. She is fun and games. Do I watch it everyday NOW!!! KNOW….