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 glad she is gone. I couldn’t stand her condescending attitude towards Mark. I will watch the show now that she is gone
you and the other 3 people who have no problem with Debbie…
I started watching the show because of Cristina! I will not be watching from now on!!
you and the other 3 people who have no problem with Debbie….
this comment was posted to Ginny, not carolyn
I am extemely saddened to learn that that Christina is no longer the cohost for H&F. She really was the reason that I watched or DVR’d every day.
Good to know if you are truthful here about content of show that has become a purveyor of a new very liberal agenda, your comment magically disappears. So be it, Anything that is on during daytime viewing which begins presenting behavior that I do not want my grandkids to watch, is going down a very slippery slope for me and my family. For myself, seeing that we everday become more desensitized to Accept things that in the past would not have been ok, worries me. I want to suggest many here know exactly to what I refer. Candace Cameron Bure… Read more »
I could not believe the shabby and cruel way that Christina was treated. SHE was the reason I watched and her and Mark’s chemistry was natural. I always fast forwarded when that skinny Debbie came on. She’s irritating at best and phoney and not relatable. God Bless your future, Christina, you left with class, while Hallmark lied to us by saying she was having a “cocktail on a beach somewhere”. I can no longer trust what Mark Steines or Hallmark says any longer. Get rid of that old Woody, who apparently has no compassion and does not care about my… Read more »
I understand that Paige Davis was the first co-host of Home and Family. She was replaced by Christina. It is sad that they now let Christina go. They now had to find a replacement, and I am happy they chose Debbie instead of someone else. Debbie knows the show and everyone on the show. She has a bubbly personality and is very entertaining. My whole family truly enjoys watching her. If Christins had to be replaced, I agree that the best choice is Debbie, and I look forward to continuing to watch the show. Some people are upset with Debbie… Read more »
I’m not upset that DM replaced her. (I am upset Cristina was replaced.) Unfortunately DM has always exhausted me and so I fast forwarded when she was on. Fast forwarding her when she’s on or talking now would require me to fast forward the entire two hours. She’s had her chance since she was first on the show. She’s frenetic.
I have missed cristina being on the show. i understand with how the other people with comments feel. i think the show is fanatstic and i love watching the show every moring twice. the first one for that day and the second one from the day before, even though I’d seen it the day before. christina was the perfect co host . i have continued to see it , but it is not the same. everything home and family shares with their audience is touching someone out there including myself,but without christina, unfortunately home and family is going to lose… Read more »
I am so disappointed that Christina has been let go. Arrogant Mark and his 3 second explanation was so lame. And, inviting her to come back anytime – what is up with that? She was the reason I really liked the show. Debbie is tiring and just too much to watch for 2 hours. She can never be the elegant host that Christina was. Hallmark, you have lost me as a fan. I will miss the other regulars on Home & Family, but I can’t spend 2 hours fast forwarding past DM when she inserts herself into every shot. Hallmark,… Read more »
I totally agree Sharon. I use to watch the show because of Cristina and her very real and caring approach to everyone on the show. I loved that show, I even painted my front door RED, I loved this show so much…what the huey! Anyway, woke up this Monday morning….turned on DogTV/ morning stimulation. It actually got me out of bed faster! Pam
Some Home and family! How does a family lose the head of the family and it’s brushed over with a slight comment from an arrogant Mark indicating that there will be pleased to have christina come and visit. If a member of my family did not show up for breakfast the next morning, I would want an explanation. Where is your explanation Hallmark? Where is your farewell and good by day. Everything centered around christina. By the way, I think I’m leaving “Home” too.
Cristina was the anchor of H&F. This is not how you treat ‘family’. I will no longer be watching the show.
I was so upset this happen.I have been recording Home and Family a long time.I loved Cristina.My daughter in-law died and sick a long time ,I would go home frome taken care of her and the three children and wind down with Home and Family.she was so careing about people and Loved the Lord. I also was heart broken about the craft lady that left to I can’t recall her name.You call this a family,and then and then kick them. Out that’s not a. Family.
I am so surprised. Not only did she make the show feel like it was a big family, but because of her excitement about the Hallmark movies, it would make me watch them. She was so good at incorporating the show with the whole channel.
I’m going to miss Christina she was the best host next to Mark. Debbie is not a good host next to Mark she is so phony. So Home and Family please bring back Christina Ferrari .
I love watch Home and Family and your Christmas movies. I still kept watching for awhile.
Debbie drinks me nuts.
She drinks me nuts too!!!
She drinks me nuts too!!!!! I quit watching today. I will also do what another reader said and will quit buying products from the Home and Family sponsors. If more people stop purchasing their products, that does work. Big mistake replacing Cristina with. DM.
I watched the show for cristina she made the show sad loss I think like Debbie but she cannot replace cristina
I guess our instincts were very accurate. After googling Debbie, I am even more incensed by the real DM. She was divorced by first 11 years older, extremely “wealthy” husband for cheating on him. Pregnant at 39 with her baby by that guy before she got remarried. Had so much plastic surgery, does not even look like “herself”. No wonder she is so full of herself. Her pictures do not look sweet in any way, but rather, very hardcore LA. She sounds like if “The View” material alongside of Behar, I’m surprised Cristina lasted as long as she did. Some… Read more »
Letting Cristina go was a big mistake, I won’t be watching anymore.