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 am very disappointed at the removal of Christina. I don’t enjoy watching Debbie. Her spunky disposition is annoying. Thank God for fast forward I use it when her and Mark are on the screen. I don’t want to listen to them. Sorry it is my opinion.
I can’t believe Hallmark would do something like this, and to replace Cristina with Debbie is wrong. Because of this, I will not only stop watching “Home and Famliy”, but I’m going to stop watching this channel all together. I really hope your shows ratings plummet and the show gets cancelled. Hallmark deserves it.
So sad to finally know what happened to Cristina. I have been wondering for the last couple of weeks and I thought she was ill. I do not watch the show daily now because she is gone. I have been checking to see if she was there in the am 🙁 I like Debbie she does good in her old position on the show, but what a bad decision by the network to replace Cristina. I only began watching the show last year and found myself recording it. Not anymore and I have now lost interest..I hope u don’t go… Read more »
Debbie has always been horrible to me. She is annoying. She wants all the attention. I hate the show now
I’ve really enjoyed watching Home & Family. I was shocked that Cristina left the show. The show will not be the same. I taped all episodes but not anymore, it won’t be the same. I know Debbie will bring the show something new. So could have Cristina. Made a big mistake firing Cristina. Good luck that it doesn’t cancel.
Christina was the show….pretty darn stupid on the networks part…I will miss watching!
Really miss Christina. I won’t be watching one of my previously favorite shows! Saddens me.
I really miss Christina. The show is not the same. The chemistry between Mark and Debbie does not even come close to the chemistry that was between Mark and Christina, which was a lot better in my opinion.I tapee show everyday, so i can fast forward through Dbbie. Please bring Christina back!
I’m over it. Not going to watch anymore
Not watching anymore
Hallmarks Facebook page has a suggestion box. I just sent them a suggestion about getting Cristina back. I suggest you all do the same. I don’t think they read any of the posts on this page. This page is not affiliated with Hallmark, as far as I know.
I’m very sad that Christina has been let go, I’m happy to hear that she is not ill. Hallmark should be ashamed that they let her go, and especially not letting her say goodbye! I have discontinued watching, as have most of my friends. Hallmark, you should be ashamed, not everyone is under 50, believe it or not, alot of older women loved your show, with Christina.
Have not been able to watch show since Cristina left. These things happen, glad she is not sick. God Bless you CRISTINA!! You are so gracious! ! I cannot watch another Home & Family show through to the end. If the ratings were in trouble, firing a co-host has not helped this viewer. I love the other cast members as well. It’s just another broken family to me. I suppose viewers must have complained & the producer’s caved in. I did see that other cast members left before Cristina did, but both have returned part time. You can’t find decent… Read more »
I was devastated to learn Christina was replaced! The show is not the same without her. When I watched the show with Christina as the host, I truly felt I was with family. I enjoyed my time relaxing and watching the show. Unfortunately, I no longer feel that way. I tried watching the show with Debbie as host but it is just not as warm and welcoming. You have lost me as a Home and Family viewer. BTW thanks for wrapping things up for us with Cedar Cove! That was another great move on your part. What the heck is… Read more »
Debbie is so overtly ambitious and annoying. If you had to fire the beautiful Christina you should have replaced her with Kim D. The show is nothing now but a bevy of blondes fighting for attention. They’re all silly. It’s like semi porn. All the over 40 has beens with no depth and can’t get a job. I saw this coming when Debbie joined the show. NOW, BROOK BURKE? COME ON!
MARK I AM sure has his resume ready to go. Surprised He hasn’t been hacked as well.