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 am very sad that Cristina was replaced. I only watched because of her. I won’t watch it any longer! Too bad! I am not fond of the replacement and did not like her when she was on the View- along with many others. Call Cristina back after we all quit watching…. Bad bad decision!!!
I wish the new host luck, however the show is not the same. I will not be watching.
I was extremely sorry to see Christina replaced. She was such a lovely and talented co-host. Had missed the show for a few weeks and definitely shocked to tune in and not see her. I do not tune in as much now!
Only watch Home & Family for Cristina. Didn’t care for Debbie on the View.
I don’t watch the show ear as much as I did. I feel a wrong was done just to have someone younger. Christina did a great job
I feel the show was perfect the way it was, why change good and excellent tv program with two great host together. Fake does not make a show, opening up your eyes to what you had…….
I loved Christina and do agree it was a poor decision to replace her. The dynamic of the show seems to have changed. You can’t get the kind of life experience and knowledge of home making from Debbie. She was a part of the dynamic that made the show but should have stayed put.I unfortunately will no longer watch. Bring Christina back. In my book Home and Family means respect and loyalty. I believe you did not give that to Christina. She deserved better. Big mistake on the networks part.
I am sad to see Christine leave the home & family show. I wish her the best and that a new opportunity will come her way. The
I was disappointed to learn that Cristina had been replaced by Debbie. I felt betrayed because Cristina always supported Debbie and I feel Hallmark simply followed the “out with the older and in with the younger” without any consideration of viewers like me who have, faithfully, supported the show. I also lost respect for Mark and as I did when the Today show dumped Anne and replaced her with women who will never fill the void she left, I have stopped watching Home and Family because the new format seems immature, empty and clueless of what the audience enjoyed when… Read more »
I actually congratulated the station for not following the typical ” young & sexy”. She was sincere, funny and a great host. Not sure I’ll tune in.
Cristingaree Ferrari, Will definitely be missed. I enjoyed watching her on the show. I will probably not keep watching. I watched a few times wondering if she was sick and now I know that she was fired. Her and her co-host made the show. It will not be the same without her. You should not have kept it from the viewers.
Why is it that even Hallmark channel can’t respect the feelings of their employees? Debbie was a poor choose. She’s very fake and full of herself. I haven’t watched home and family since you replaced Christina. I’m disappointed at this channel for their actions. Not everything is about money. I do hope that you compensated Christina for the poor way you treated her. You owe her many apologizes. I’m sorry to say Hallmark channel is as cut throat as all the other networks. You should be ashamed…
I personally felt she was the best part of the show. I feel the new lady just isn’t as good. I’m chosen to stop watching the show since it just isn’t the same. It feels wrong. It’s not my place to judge. It just isn’t the way it was and I don’t enjoy it anymore.
Cristina brought not only class to the program, she also brought a personality that made me keep watching. She and Mark appeared to make a great tv couple, the chemistry between them was fun to watch. Her cooking always looked so delicious, the fun she had when opening the refrigerator door, her willingness to play whatever games were on the block made watching the program a hit. The camaraderie she had with the personnel on and the guests was warm, caring & a lot of fun. Nothing against Debbie, just prefer Cristina at the helm. I say, bring her back,… Read more »
I watched “Home and Family ” on a daily basis. I haven’t watched it once since Christina has gone-and I never will. I believe in loyalty when someone is doing a good job and Christina was not doing a good job but a great job.
Loved Christina as the co host. It’s just not the same show without her. Not the same family feeling. If it was her decision it would be different. I’ve only watched a couple times since she’s been gone. She brought a dynamic that is no longer there.