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?
Hallmark made the wrong choice in who they fired. I don’t like to see people lose their jobs but it should have been Mark. Miss you Christina. God bless you and your family.
I still watch the show because I enjoy the guest stars and the dyi projects but I think losing Christina was a big mistake. Debbie is so phony and does not come across as honest with her feelings as did Christins. Hallmark should be held liable for age discrimination
I will no longer be watching Home and Family. It sounds to me like Broken Home and Family. This reeks of age discrimination-ageism against Christina. Hallmark should look at its audience/viewers for this morning time slot. The reason that this show was popular was because of the demographics. The viewers could relate to Christina. If they are trying to bring in younger viewers, it will not happen. I do hope that they realize that the replacement host is not warm and its all about her and her looks. Debbie is not personable and Mark is just going along with it… Read more »
Could have been handled in a better way. As usual no thought was given to your viewers and how they would feel. Cristina was the heart and soul of this show. My interest will be on watching the Hallmark Movies. I wish Cristina a happy life with her real family.
IM VERY SAD ABOUT THE SWITCH AND WILL NOT BE WATCHING THE SHOW ANYMORE!
I have never been a fan really of home and family I tried to watch it several times but just never could get comfortable with it. Saw it again. Yesterday and. What ever I didn’t like about it wasn’t Christine she was the only thing that have it the home or the sense of family. Cancel it and give Christine her own show.
I am so disappointed that Cristina is no longer on the Home and Family show. She is truly a honest upfront person with no pretense. I am sorry that “the powers that be” are so short sighted! I wish Cristina the best of everything and thank her for all she was to us viewers thru all the years she came into our lives.
I could tell quite easily earlier this year that Mark Stein was disgusted with her appearance/age! His body language and facial expressions towards her said it all!! He is so easy to read its ridiculous!! He thinks he is hot stuff and DESERVES to have ,in his mind, an equally attractive person as his co host!!!! Every time they had beautiful women on the show, he was rude and always upstaged her, he was very demeaning! He and his new co host are extremely annoying!!! He is not as hot as he thinks he is!!! Can we say…NARCISSISTIC!! THEY DEFINITELY… Read more »
OMG everything you said Trush is TRUE! Mark should have gone and Woody!!!! I’m probably wrong on the spelling but Tanya (with daughter Ava) should still be there too!!! The show had become too silly! Nort warm and inviting anymore!!
I really like Christina he’s one of the reason I watch the show y’all really need to get her back the shows just not as interested anymore and sorry I just don’t care to watch it
Change is good, show was getting stale
The show is going to regret how they handled the switch between Christina and Debbie. I no longer watch the show since Christina is not on it. I like Debbie but Mark and Christina is what made the show.
I tried to watching Home & Family today and lost interest , I won’t be watching the show again. bad call Hallmark.
I think it was handled badly. The show’s quality has really hit bottom. It has turned into a poor comedy (slap stick)–game show — DIY. I really don’t watch it anymore because of Christina and poor quality. Debbie has her qualities, but she is not Christina. Bad Mistake.
I was really sad to hear Christine was not returning to Home and Family. SHow she was an asset to your show it will not be the same. Christine help make the show with Mark . they were great together. Her replacement is to fake and not cheery like Christine. I used to love the show now don’t watch it. I really hope they cancel the show. SORRY but that is the way I feel.
I was yes the holiday watcher of Home and Family and movies but Christina and Mark made the connection with the audience just not feeling that since she was let go? fired? never was given a send off?? Nothing against Debbie but she’s not Christina!!! finding it hard to watch without her…
I so enjoyed Cristina and Mark on Home and Family. Sadly, had am saying goodbye to the show. It was only fair to give Debbie a chance and I’m sure she is a lovely host for a show. Just not this one. The finesse has left, the overall entertainment value has gone flat. Hallmark, you made a mistake; it can easily be righted.