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 watched H&F almost every day. I started watching because Cristina was on the show. The show just won’t be the same without her. I may still watch on occasion, but it NOT the same show without Cristina.
Although I suspected that something was up, I was very sad to hear of Christina’s firing. It make’s me wonder who was really behind it. I doubt that I will continue to watch the show. It seems they are not really the “family” that they pretend to be. Mark can’t carry the show alone, and not enough people like Debbie. It’s too bad.
This is a huge mistake! Why would they mess with a proven winning team. So many people both male and female relate to Cristina. She is real!!!! Darling personality, beautiful inside and out!! She is the real deal and she is the epitome Of the ideal host. So welcoming, she was the heart of the show. This is one of those stupid decisions by a bunch of stupid people that will cause a lot of awesome people to also lose their jobs. This was one of those Rare Gems, Rare Bright Spots in television today and it’s now ruined. Letting… Read more »
PERFECTLY said, Cindy!
I have been a faithful fan of the Home and Family show that airs from 7-9a Mon-Fri mornings here in Hawaii and it has been my way of beginning my day since retiring 3 years ago. It saddens me to learn of Christina’s demise. She was such a stable, matured, multi-talented co-anchor who brought a lot of knowledge to the show. She will certainly be sadly missed. I just hope this will not effect your TV audience as I am sure many watched because of her!! Best wished to you Christina…there lots of other roads for you to travel. Aloha… Read more »
I am so sad to hear that Cristina Ferrare has been replaced on the show. She was the reason I loved watching the show. She was so genuine and warm and she always made the show feel like
“Home and Family”. I loved her cooking segments and she was so personable with everyone. It is truly a big mistake to let her go. Cristina – we’ll really miss you!!!
I believe this a major mistake with the Hallmark Channel…Christina Ferrare was a joy and true person who came across as a great friend…she was real not false! Bubbly and truly interested in people! She was funny, outgoing and impromptu, which made the audience come back daily to see what she was up to next…that’s what made viewers watch Home & Family! She appealed to all ages…since I too am older person (71 years young) I perceive this as an age related firing…and, I will not continue to watch Home & Family…Thank you Christina for coming back years ago when… Read more »
I am really upset to see Christina leave the show. I watched her on the first Home and Family show, and then was very happy to see her on this show. I feel like she is the life of the show. She is so vibrant and energetic. She connects to a range of ages. My daughter, granddaughter, and I all like her and agree that the show has changed now that Christina is gone. I hope it has nothing to do with her age. If it does, Shame on the Network. I thought Hallmark was above that. Not everyone is… Read more »
Sorry that the F in family really doesn’t mean much anymore.
Watched my last show…..Christina MADE the show! Her class and knowledge of the different subjects, made it so enjoyable. I taped 2 hrs every day so that I wouldn’t miss anything. God Bless you dear lady!
I was hoping Cristina was not sick and was worried about her when I didn’t see her on H&F. Needless to say I will not be recording the show any longer because there is no reason to. Cristina was genuine, honest and approachable, all attributes that are in short supply on daytime TV. Like others have stated it is just too tiring to follow Debbie hoping around the set like a rabbit. Does the girl have an “off” switch? I wish Christina and her family all the best and may God bless them.
Cristina Ferrare is the main reason I watched Home & Family, as well as her much earlier show, Home, which I loved!! I really don’t care to watch it now and think it has lost an important part of what made it special!!
I’m confused? Mark is 52, middle aged, and qualifies for AARP. Debbie will be 42. How is this young Hollywood? Who are they supposed to be appealing to? What demographic?
Not sure what is really going on…
I can’t fathom what the higher-ups were thinking when they let Christina go. Debbie’s segments were always enjoyable; she brings a vitality and verve to the show, but Christina is the heart and soul of the show. Debbie is great for segments, but a full diet if her is quite of-putting. The whole concept of Home and Family is the family formed on the show. Each regular has his/her own talent to bring to the show as a a whole. Without Christina, there’s no family. This was a an incredibly wrong decision. Rectify it.
Hallmark channel is not what it use to be!!!!! With Cristina Ferrare gone, us folks in our late 50’s to 60’s have no one to relate to on the show, “Hme and Family”. Hallmark Channel, this honorably retired ordained Presbyterian minister, “PCUSA, will no longer waste time with anything “Hallmark”. Forget ever visiting ” universal studios California “.
I have been waiting for Christina to return. She is the one who made it all work. This news saddens me. I loved the show but it definitely lost its personality the last few weeks. I would hate to think that age was an issue as so many networks want the skinny young blond – sleeveless short dresses and don’t care about connection with the audience. Home and family “was” different which is why I started watching and taping it. I was sick of the network BS. Now it looks like the same thing is happening here. So sad for… Read more »