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?
So sorry that Cristina got fired. I WILL NOT WATCH THE SHOW ANY LONGER!!! Please bring her back. I haven’t watched the show since Mark made the announcement that Debbie would take over. And that’s been all summer. Please bring her back!!!
I haven’t watched it since either, and don’t plan to.
I love Christina! So disappointed that Christina is gone. She needs her own show. I don’t know if I will continue to watch Home & Family.
Started watching Cristina 29years ago in the mornings. I just started watching Cristina again last year after I retired. I am sad that she is gone. No one beats her personality. If she shows up somewhere else, I will follow her.
Firing Christina was a bad call. Hiring Dina Deleasa-Gonsar would be a FANTASTIC call!
Don’t know who that is. How about Egypt Sherrod, if they aren’t getting Cristina back? Egypt is from HGTV’s Property Virgins show. I really enjoyed her when she subbed in when Cristina was on Vacation. Then there’s Page. I love Page, and she’s not IN YOUR FACE like Debbie is.
For me, the show is lacking without Christiana. Wish everyone well but it’s not the same and I won’t be watching any more. Tried – just don’t care for it at all. I watch too much TV anyway.
wow saw that Christina is gone so sad I really liked her Debbie is bla
No, I tried, but not as interesting or fun without Christina. She added so much and because of Christina and Mark together, this was a favorite show of mine and I watched daily. New hostess too silly and shows off far too much, no depth. I no longer watch and won’t be back. Sad.
I would flip by this program pre-Debbie, and every time I would think ;Ugh C Ferrare – I am NOT watching that!
I’M NOT THE LEAST BIT SORRY C FERRARE IS GONE!
DEBBIE IS A SUPERB REPLACEMENT!!!
Now you just need to REPLACE MARK with someone to match Debbie. So he should be bright, charismatic yet down to earth, with a true sense of humor. (Not Mark’s old, shallow lack of personality)
Good, they you can be their one viewer.
Boy is that the truth!
NO will never watch the show again
Feels like an ingredient from my favorite recipe has been stealthily removed … and replaced with another. You’d think they would understand that concept. Cooking ingredients are not interchangeable. Neither are “Family” members. I won’t be watching anymore.
Wow!, why do shows mess with a good thing!!! I’m so disappointed!!! I will not be watching anymore, I thought Mark and you (Christine) were and are a great team!!!! Please correct this MISTAKE you made when replacing!!!
I will not watch the show any more she was the reason i watch it
I do not like the show as much without Christine and i do not watch the show as much anymore. By choosing someone younger it appears to be the age old reason of age. Shame on you Hallmark. Of all networks i thought you would be above this
Very disappointed in the network it is exactly the opposite of “Home and Family” not sure whose idea this was but they should probably be fired. If I do decide to watch I will also be voicing my displeasure to the advertisers
I will not watch the show now. Shame on the network.