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 don’t care for the new host. I gave her a chance, but without Cristina on there I just can’t watch. I now find it boring. If you were going to get rid of somebody why not get rid of mark for always giving rude and uncalled for comments to kym. She looks like she wants to say “enough mark”. Bring back the show the way it used to be minus marks comments.
I miss Christina. It’s not right after so many years of being such an awesome co-host that there was no proper send off. She operated with such grace and I loved watching her and listening to her stories and ideas!
Tried to watch twice without Cristina. Will not watch show again. She was the show.
I miss Christina, bring her back!!!
I was so taken back when Christina was gone. Debbie is a sweet gal, BUT Christina was such a lovely addition to H&F. There is just something missing now that Christina is gone. I find it doesn’t bother me now if I miss an episode of H&F. I use to plan my activities around the show. It just feels like something is missing now. So sad.
It was a BIG mistake, I loved Christina she had class and a genuine personality. Debbie is not real at all never cared for her and her mouth is always going. To bad Hallmark you had a good thing going. Will have to find something new to watch. It just shows Hallmark also has no class,very disappointed in Hallmark. Will not continue to watch.
Will not watch it without Cristina. Don’t like the replacement. BIG mistake!!!
Please bring Christina back. What are you thinking? I’m done with Home and Family
I wont watch anymore without Christina… Very big mistake…..
I was mad when y’all got rid of Paige. Someone said Cristina was the first co-host, but that’s not true. Paige was a great compliment to the host. I have nothing against Cristina… Loved her on The Home Show… Haven’t watched her much on Hime and Family because I really liked Paige! The old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, applies here… You didn’t give Paige a chance, as she was fired early on. Cristina, however has been on a while and had a great following. You need to know your audience a little better, Hallmark. You will… Read more »
Cristina was a co host before Paige. After Paige left, Cristina returned.
I did some research on Paige a few years back and I think you should do the same. She had some major problems. I never saw the show with Paige, but I was curious as to what happened with her..
Shame on Home and Family, I loved Christina and watched to see her, I have loved her for years, and probably won’t watch anymore. What a shame for your show!
Will no longer watch unless Ferrare returns.
Should of left her on ,, Christina was great and much better then the new one, i WILL NOT WATCH IT ANYMORE,, HER AND MARK MADE A GREAT TEAM,, BIG MISTAKE HALLMARK
I totally agree with you.Christina and Mark made a much better team.
I’ve been a faithful viewer for several years. I was very disappointed when Christina was replaced. She was witty, charming, gracious, endearing (should I go on) and complemented Mark’s personality completely. I use to tape episodes whenever I wasn’t able to watch. I don’t feel as if I missed anything now if unable to view an episode.
Hallmark dropped the ball on this not-so-well-thought-out decision. The show was great and now only so so.. Bad decision!
I like Debbie but loved Christina please bring her back.
I am truly disappointed with their decision. I truly think Cristina was awesome. Debbie is too much.
Cristina has class and comforting feeling I really enjoyed watching her. Bad move