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 so sad to see her taken off the show. She was one of the reasons I watched it. Such a classy lady. What a loss. It was a bad decision.
I agree with most of the comments here. The real reason is Hallmark wanted a younger host. I will no longer watch this show as I find it very much like an Irish family gathering. Everyone is yelling to try and be the loudest and no one can hear or get anything out of the conversation. I too think Christina added a bit of class to the show. Maybe she should do her own show.
No I will not be watching Home and Family because I stopped watching the View because I think Debbie has (no class). She is loud and cannot be compared to Cristina. I have Dish with 400 channels but Hallmark is my favorite network.The movies and Christmas movies make it a channel for family entertainment. The best out there. I hope to see Cristina soon in something.
I have to agree with most of these posts about Debbie.( Being much too much at times) Cristina was so true and added So much to this program..Fit so well with Mark ,also! We Miss her!! All I can say!!!
I think it was a mistake letting Cristina go. I’ve been impressed with this show because of it’s substance. I will continue to watch but I really do miss Cristina. She always seemed like the perfect lady. Sad.
Will NEVER watch again!!!! Grow up Home & Family!. No send off, NO answers, NO nothing. You just up & got rid of an amazing woman. I’ll wait to see what show she joins & will watch that!!!!
P.S. DO NOT SEND ME EMAILS. YOU’VE BEEN NOTIFIED!
No I’ve stopped watching. I don’t like Debbie. Cristina has so much more class than Debbie, Debbie is just a loud mouth.
WRONG MOVE!
I don’t like Debbie. She is loud and talks way too much.
Where is the old fashioned thing called decorum.
Cristina brought dignity and courtesy. She and Mark were complimentary to each other on the show.
I truly miss Cristina, I love watching Home and Family, but it’s not the same, it’s like the flame went out,..I may watch a show or two during the week, whereas before I watched all the shows everyday. Cristina and Mark are awesome hosts and love what each person brings to the table that makes the show so entertaining.
I have always loved and respected Christina !!
I have been dealing with illness in the family, and I just found out she has been replaced ! Not
happy !! I don’t know this Debbie person, but Christina has always be a ray of sunshine !!!
She will be do missed !! Will not continue to
watch !
I really am disappointed!! I really liked Christina, the new co-host is fake. Don’t like her, fake in manner and appearance!!
I’m totally shocked. I love Christina. Poor choice Hallmark!!
Wow, I’m very saddened to hear that Christina is leaving the show. She was my main reason for watching. Very sad.
Time to change the channel or turn off TV
Miss seeing Christina, but the show has gone downhill badly anyway. It just doesnʻt work.