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 admire Christina Ferrare and love the show because of her. Now that she is no longer in the show, I will not watch it anymore . She’s a great host. I hope that she will have another show so I can watch her again.
Home and Family is not the same. I hate it. Will not be watching anymore. You messed up bad Hallmark.
I loved Christina and watched mostly because of her. I really love the Hallmark channel, can not believe they would fire her, was because of age? That stinks! I do not watch much any more, sorry Debbie is not as “real” or caring to me and Mark seems to have changed too. Sorry but that is the way I feel.
I do miss Cristina Ferrare and i find it hard to believe that Home and Family took her off. I hope it wasn’t age because she is beautiful and was a great Host. I’m getting a little tired of some shows replacing Hosts like this when she was doing such a good job!
I don’t find myself watching H&F as much as before. too much silliness, I feel sorry for the older contributors, that have great information and have to put up with the jokes and puns. Maybe a change in the male host should have been done instead of female. Miss you Christina. Wishing you well.
I am sad that Christine is gone. I liked her as a main host, and her replacement is fine as a contributer, but I have a hard time watching her as a main host, Debbie is someone a person can only handle in small doses! Not sure why you let Christina go?
Want watch show anymore bring Christine back this new host stinks!!!!!
New host that replaced her stinks bring Christine back
I loved watching Cristina!! I have tried to watch without her but am no longer interested. I think your audience was more mature and appreciated Cristina’s class. Bad move!!
Debbie (today at 12:14 comment): After months of trying to watch Mark and his snide comments to Kym especially, plus his really dumb jokes and what you have stated…I totally agree now. Good points. I rarely watch the program now and certainly not all the way through. Cannot deal with Debbie anymore (want to delete my June 23 comment that she does a good job). Yes, I agree with you!
Can’t wait to see the rating drop! I knew something was up but I was all caught up on reruns and still no Cristina! Boooo Home & Family there was a reason Debbie M was fired from the View she has no talent! And needs to realize its not all about her! Bye
I will not be watching anymore, miss Cristina!! She was mature, not a giggling young girl!
Not watching, I loved Cristina Ferrare on the show and noticed immediately that she was gone. BIG mistake Hallmark and Home&Family. The show will not be the same.
Christina is a beautiful, honest, caring, person who has great integrity. I applaud her and she made the show a home and family show. She will truly be missed and I will not watch the show any longer. Thank you for your family values Christina!
I will not watch Home and Family anymore. I miss Chirstina..
Not fair…She was so good. How old is Mark?