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?
The show is not the same . I don’t think I will be continuing to watch. SORRY MARK 🙁
The show isn’t the same. I lovedon’t er warmth and humor…not watching any longer. Not a positive change. Like the cast bUT miss her definitely not the same.
I have watched it several times since she left, the warmth of the show is no longer there. I will just watch the movies but not the show. Seems very Hollywood fake now. Wish Cristina was still the host.
What isnt Hollywood fake anymore?
The industry should stop attempting to force a so call nation wide branding and hype of youth this is ridiculous.
Cristina is awesome, no need to have replaced her; and Debbie is not a ‘ditz’, as she is very intelligent and personable, etc. why not keep both, H&F??
You really goofed by not respecting Cristina and us the viewers. Shame!
I no longer watch Home & Family…Cristina Ferrare was great on the show. I don’t care for Debbie…Cristina was down to earth & brought class & honesty to the show. Sorry Cristina is no longer on the show.
I miss Cristina. To me she was Home and Family. I find myself not that interested in the show anymore. Sorry! For me, it was a mistake to take her off the show.
I used to watch Home & Family because of Ferrare, the show is not the same without her. No matter what new and great cotributions this new girl brings to the show, Ferrare always brought some elegance and that hint of wisdom that is always possitive. I don’t care much about the show anymore, because if is to learn new diy ideas, I cal always find them somewhere else. So sorry for the choices that were made. The way the change was made is a total lack of maturity and respect for the viewers .
The show is not the same.. I know we should give Debbie a chance, but why change it if it’s not broke? Cristina made the show, it’s just not the same anymore!! Very saddened by the way Hallmark handled the whole thing.. just lost all respect for the network!
I don’t watch anymore lacks the warmth Christine gave the show big mistake to replace her
I thought Cristina was the BEST part of “Home & Family” I can not and will not watch ever again. It just isn’t the same without sweet, wonderful Cristina! Whoever made this decision made a HUGE mistake!
I do not enjoy your show as much, and I am very disappointed.
Wow, how awful. I am glad that she is not ill. Although I like Debbie, it makes me angry that Hallmark did this to the gracious and talented, Ms. Ferrare. I will probably not be watching the show any more. What? Did she get too old? Guess what, most of your viewers like her that way. Surprised that a family station has unceremoniously dumped a lady who made the show popular.. Unbelievable!!!
I am so sad to hear Christina was fired. I watched your show just because of her. I am no longer interested in watching Home and Family.
I do not feel that it is “Home and Family ” any more! It is more like “House and Hollywood “