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?
Miss Christina so much. She made the show, so personal, caring and genuine. What were you thinking? Younger is not better and the lack of experience and wisdom the show once had is now gone. The absence of respect towards her is a shameful embarrassment and evidence of who Home & Family is really all about. I will not watch!
I miss Christian it is not the same
I miss Christian so much. She was the light of the show. Always smiling. Her and Mark were perfect together. It just isn’t the same with out you Christina. I hope they will reconsider this decision at a later day. XO
Miss Christina terribly it’s just not the same ! Debbie is nice but there is no comparison ! I watched because I loved Christina …BRING HER BACK !!
I too have been wondering where is Cristina… I agree with everyone what a real shame to replace her, I looked forward to watching Home and Family each day because she MADE it that way. She is a very beautiful woman, so talented, genuine,…. THE REAL DEAL. I for one, and I know I’m not alone think Hallmark should immediately bring her back where she belongs. Put Debbie back where she was, she does nothing to the role of co-host, she has NO warmth and kindness like christina does. with christina its real. please Hallmark, please bring christina back to… Read more »
The thing that surprises me is the age of the audience is many retired people. Why would they pull someone who we can relate to? The younger gals are very sweet but often too dizzy for me. I used to record it because I still work but I don’t anymore. I watch now & then but I’m sorry for the decision they made. I think every other person behind the camera should also be fired if it’s all about age. She was beautiful, smart & relatable. I’m sorry to see her gone!
Please bring Christina back! I tried watching the show after she left but have now stopped because I feel it has eliminated all of us that are over 40. I loved the show and my family made many of the craft projects especially the Halloween ones. I really looked forward to each day of the show but now can’t watch.
Miss Christina, big mistake letting her go I quit watching the show. BRING her back..She made the show with Mark. I NO LONGER WATCH NOR DO MY FRIENDS
Bring Cristina back!! Debbie is nice but too exuberant.
I watched the original Home and Family show in the mid nineties. I loved that show so much and all the people on it. So I was very happy to find it was on again. I couldn’t believe it when Cristina was gone. She was the reason I watched the show. I do not watch it anymore it’s just not the same without her..
I will certainly miss Christina. She brought so much love and laughter to the show. She made the show. My good wishes and prayers are with her and her family. Have wonderful holidays Christina. I love you.
I usedan to watch it all the time but now,with Christina gone I don’t watch it anymore. She was the heart and soul of the show. Not the same. I liked Debbie doing her part but Christina was the hostess. Very sad
I am discourages that Christina has been replaced. I think Debbie is great at what she was doing ,but I do not believe it was needed to replace Christina. She was amazing as a host/co-host. I believe you all should reconsider your decision.
I certainly will miss Christina Ferrare, she was home and family. Don’t especially care for Debbie. too phone, sorry. I will not be watching at all without Christina.
I really enjoyed Christina. She has an appeal for us older women. Every other show has the typical long-hair young beauty that does not appeal to middle aged women. Christina, though not old , brought a true element of Famy that I feel had been lost now. I’ve tried the new show but it just doesn’t speak to me as the old show did. I haven’t watched much anymore. What a shame.