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?
Gave new show a try but Debbie doesn’t have the personality to carry it off as easily like Christina did. She’s stiff, & uptight, and noticeably reads the cue like a kid giving her first book report. She just doesn’t look or act comfortable. And if she does think she’s comfortable- someone give her a xanex.
Have tried to watch but not the same. Home and family not much different than the today show and getting rid of those people feel comfortable with and replacing with who they think we want.
Bonnie
Thank you Christina for letting us know….I to will not watch Home and Family anymore, it no longer is the the show I really enjoyed each morning.
Christina was that show. Debbie is just not Christina, a nice person but does not have the personality and sincerity that Christina so naturally brought to the show. Please know Christina is so missed.
Why was she let go? She seemed the perfect choice to be in the co-host position. I doubt I will watch the show anymore!
I will no longer watch. I tried to give new co-host a chance, but Cristina Ferrare made the show!! You made a Hugh mistake in replacing her!!!
Yes. I enjoyed the show when she was on it. I have been having a problem with staying tooned in. Missing her pleasant personality.
Huge mistake Hallmark!! Christina brought class to Home and Family!! You will lose viewership!!!
I agree with Mary McIIhenney and others that have posted RE; Christina being fired / let go or whatever “Big Mistake Huge Mistake”!!! Christina was so good , so sweet and she brought something extra special to that show, not that I was a regular watcher, but whenever I did she was the one that you loved to see on there. This Debbie is just too over-the-top & fake , watching her today with Queen Latifah is almost unbearable. My belief is that Hallmark is going to find that this was a wrong move on their part and maybe they’ll… Read more »
Big Mistake! Christina made your viewers feel right at home! Her and Mark “together” made your show! Why try and fix a good thing when it was broken in the first place! You lost this viewer! Goodbye
I will not watch home and family any more .I have watched it since it has been on. this new lady does not fit she does not feel like home sweet and warm like cristina who every made that rule to let her go made a very bad choice. the show will never be the same .
First, let me say I have zero time to watch tv but when I do, I like to watch shows that will encourage and edify me and my family, that said, I just realized Ms Cristina is no longer on the show, (I know, I watch tv) although I like the idea and the segments presented, I don’t feel it in my heart to continue watching the show. It feels (to me) like the network acted as a middle aged husband that changes his wife for a younger woman, and as a young, but aging woman myself, (LIKE ALL OF… Read more »
Yes! That was my thoughts!!!!!! I turned 60 this year and I watched this show. But now the network did replace the female with a younger person!!! That angers & frustrates me! Not watching anymore!
So I loved watching “Home & Family” every morning as soon as the Hallmark Channel started playing the Christmas movies the first of November. Here I am a few days late after finding out but I’m so disappointed finding out that Cristina Ferrara is no longer with the Hallmark Channel!!! She was so funny and I could relate to her. She was real!! This new girl is annoying cause she tries to hard. I sure hope you bring Cristina back if even only for her wonderful holiday recipes she shared with us. I think you lost another viewer cause I… Read more »
Shame on you, Home nd Family!! As of today, my family and I have elected to stop watching the Home and Family Series. We greatly miss Cristina!!
Hallmark, you know the movie where the husband divorces the wife of many years for a younger woman? You have aired some movies like this. That’s how your move to get rid of Christine looks. I was under the assumption this channel was about family, family values, integrity, loyalty and love. Remember how those movies make people feel, we root for the casted away wife and hope the younger woman falls on her face. I will be turning the Hallmark Channel off, this channel was a great example of “family” now it’s just like “Survivor”.
So sorry that this happened to her. I loved her! She was the heart of the show. I love the Hallmark Channel but without Cristina is just not the same. Goodbye Home and Family!
I didn’t care for her so I will try watching now.