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 was very sad to hear of Cristina Ferrare being let go. I think she was beautiful, sweet, and one of my favorites on the Home and Family show. I enjoyed her and Marks terrific personalities together, they always made me laugh. Debbie is ok but to me she just seems fake. I used to watch this daily but I am not a fan anymore. I’ll watch the movies when they’re on but not home and family anymore.
I will not watch any longer!
so sad… Cristina is an amazing person & I too tried to watch but it’s not the same… Debbie is not a bad person as such I think but she is for sure not a main host that makes you feel at home… she is to to well just not a main host… I will no longer watch again tried 3 shows & it’s just to not good… sad sad… 🙁
But I am keeping the faith that someone will get Cristina a even better show I just feel it will happen… 🙂
I only put up with him because Cristina did. I thought, well, she must see something in him that I don’t see. Maybe he’s not as passive aggressive as he seems.
I am so sad…havent had cable to watch the channel and now discovered she is gone. So missed.
Sorry, I will no longer watch. I kept watching and waiting for Hallmark to smarten up and return Christina. Debbie is not a strong enough hostess. She is not warm like Christina and has little rapport with guests. Mark should have gone before Christina. BIG MiISTAKE!!
I am so disappointed . Cristina made that show. I’m sure Debbie is very nice, but the show won’t be on my watch list anymore.
She loves the camera! Geez! Back off, and be a host. Your guest should be front and center. Queen Latifah put her in her place (which was hilarious), but did she learn anything?
I tuned back in after a while and thought maybe Christina was on vacation. Then I learned about the firing. What?!?
I liked Debbie in her original spot as occasional contributor. But host?…not!
I’m still watching the show, but don’t pull anymore crap Hallmark. Hoping you live up to your brand!
I just started watching the show a few weeks ago. I usually don’t watch shows like this but, I have really enjoyed it and I’m even adding the site to my favorites list on my computer. I think Debbie is great! I don’t think she is fake or over the top at all. I never saw Christina so, I don’t know how she was but, everyone seems to have been very fond of her. I think maybe it’s good that I haven’t seen her because I’m not trying to compare the two. I am 59 years old and I think… Read more »
Too bad we can’t vote Debbie out of Home & Family. And vote Cristina and Tanya back in.
I have quit watching the show since Christina left. I know a number of others who have the same. Debbie was ok to be on occasionally but not as cohost.
The show is not the same without Cristina. I no longer enjoy this show and will not be watching.
Shame on Hallmark! I for one was sad to see Cristina replaced on Home & Family, I tried watching the new season, sorry, just not the same without Cristina. Needless to say they have lost me as their fan.
I have not been watching Home and Family since Cristina is no longer on the show. I was very concerned for her and now I know what took place. I am very, very disappointed that ‘they’ decided to replace her. Nothing is the same any longer.
Love, love, love you, Cristina!!
Wow, whose bright idea was that! My 3rd daughter (who is beautiful) I named Cristina, after Cristina herself, in 1989…I tried to watch the show today, never again.
Watched H&F as often as I could and loved Christina Ferrare!! Just watched about a half hour of the show with the new hostess and I have to say never will it be the same!! Hallmark did BooBoo!!
well like everyone else it is not the same.i gave up on it now.
who ever fired her you made a big mistake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!