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?
Am so sorry to hear what happened to Cristina, She is one main reason I loved the show. I will no longer watch your show. She always did good, & segments looked cobbled. It didn’t matter, everyone just laughed & kept on going…..She made part of the show & was so sweet!! You all truly made a bad choice. My husband and I will no longer watch you show. Please bring her back!!
I will no longer watch your show. I believe that Debbie is way to immature to co-host. Goodbye!
I am with you Lydia!! Goodbye!
I am with you Lydia. Goodbye!!!
Here is my take on the situation: Cristina had high standards and the show that we the viewers experienced was a very respectful and classy show. She led the way like a good matriarch does. Everyone was expected to live up to the high standard and some people had a problem with it. People most likely started to not get along and hurt each other. Woody who produces the show should have made the decision to expect everyone to operate at the high standard. If he was good at his job, he would have known how to do this. Instead,… Read more »
I wondered what happened to Christina and kept waiting for her to come back. I was on vacation the end of June, so I didn’t see the show. Anyway, I agree with many of the other people who have commented on the show now without Christina. As far as I’m concerned, it isn’t worth watching now. I loved seeing Christina’s happy face each day when I tuned in and liked her disposition. Debbie is okay, but much too hyper for my taste. I will no longer be watching the show. It isn’t worth my time any longer without Christina. I… Read more »
I won’t be watching it now that Christina is gone. She made the show. They should cancel the show.
I loved Christina she had warmed, class, & good at her job she wasn’t diggy like her replacement Debbie try’s to hard
I liked the show better befote Christina left. She seemed more home based and related to my age group. More sincere appearing than most hosts. I no longer waych regularly.
what was hallmark thinking?? maybe that’s the problem they were not thinking!!! I only can assume that they have never heard that old saying “if it’s not broke don’t fix it”. Looks like I won’t be watching anymore. To bad, I was a faithful viewer, meven watching the repeat shows. Goodby Home and Family
I was disappointed when I tuned in & saw that Christina was not on the show, (Nothing against Debbie). For me, personally, Christina made the show ~
with her personality & how real she is. I know she is a woman of faith & God opens better doors for us when one closes. ♡
Will not watch anymore
What was Hallmark thinking?? I guess they never heard the old saying “if its not broke don’t fix it “. I don’t watch the show anymore, to bad I was a faithful watcher, even watched the repeat shows.
I love Mark, but can’t stand Debbie. She always wants to steel the attention and I believe Mark and Christina were equal. She is the only one who thinks she’s funny. It’s sad but I will no longer watch due to Christina being gone.
I too stayed with the show due to Christina. While I like Debbie with Mark well enough, I probably won’t tune in anymore. I was pleased to read that Christina is well and being the positive individual that she is, something even better will come along. Thanks Hallmark for having her on the show, she was a ray of sunshine.
Christina gave the show the flavor for it’s name Home and Family! I watched due to the family feel and the supposed emphasis that the show was based on family ethics. This is not the way you treat family! It seems all the emphasis on family is just hype. I will not watch!
I started watching this show when it was first on due to Cristina!! i was sad went it went off the air, but was thrilled when it came back on. I just loved the warm, homey feel is exuded. I noticed I hadn’t been seeing her and just now I googled and am so sad, mad and upset she was fired!!! I won’t be watching any longer! I loved her class and calmness and wit she brought to the show. Nothing against Debbie ( reminds me too much of Kelly Ripa who I used to watch faithfully, until they fired… Read more »
I have to say I was a fan of the show when it first began! Mainly because of Christina, but as time went on with certain guests that appeared on the show I choose to stop watching a long time ago! But I do tune in every once in a while and I noticed Christina was not on the show and began to wonder what happened to her! Now that I know I must say this is a bad move on Hallmark’s part to let her go! She was that show, I’m sure her fans will miss her! I personally… Read more »