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 really enjoyed Home and Family. The Family part certainly included Christina she brightened up my day with her humor and love of Family. Do you see where i am going??? Without her, thereis no Home and Family such a poor decisionon the part of the network. I will not be watching anymore and I hope Christina gets a show of her own. Thank you
I’m sorry, but I won’t be watching anymore either. I could relate to Cristina. I enjoyed her humor, her common sense on sensitive subjects and her positive attitude. The show no longer holds my interest.
Christina was the reason I watched the show!!!!
Hey…….The show just isn’t the same without Cristina….I’ve been a long time watcher, Deb is nice, but no one can take Cristina’s shoes….
I am so sorry to see Cristina is not coming back. I must admit while I do enjoy the show and Debbie is part of the family, I don’t watch like I did everyday. I also recorded on the days I could not watch. The show is not the same. The Greek references have gotten old. So is the show. Bad choice Woody not fighting for Cristina.
I’m sorry for the replacement of Cristina. She exuded such warmth in the show and was one of the main reasons I enjoyed the program. She spoke like family to us.
Christina made the Family side of the show just that…family.
The powers that be replaced a beautiful and graceful woman because of her age. Shame on you! Christina was the delightful reason we watched the show, and the reason why I told others of the show.
Lost us, too! ..Hallmark, You’re Fired!
I will not be wàtching it any more and they should be ashamed
My wife and I no longer record the show since Christina is gone. Debbie is easy on the eyes, but that’s it.
I have been wondering where Cristina was thinking there was a good reason why she was no longer there. I think the network made a huge mistake. I only started watching within the past year and was drawn by Debbie and Mark as a team. I like Debbie but bot as much as I miss Cristina. Not sure the show will survive the loss.
I have tried to watch the replacement but no can do. Cristina was Home and Family and while change is inevitable I don’t think it was for the best. Too bad–another show off my list.
I think the network wanted a younger host same same old thing woman get older and she is out!
I too am sad about Christina Ferrare leaving Home and Family , what does family mean to hallmark ? Actually Christina and Kim are what make viewers watch , in my 71 years of life I’ve yet to know someone who has stayed young forever.
I made a quick comment earlier but I have a question was Christina ever the sole host of Home and Family? I think so. Then Mark joined the show — thing changed then. Mark never impressed me. He’s the one who needed the spotlight. I think he’s the one who pushed for someone younger I think Christina felt she was cast aside the moment Mark was hired to co-host. Bye bey HAF
No, Mark was there first. He had a different hostess, but she left and Cristina filled the spiot and made the show a success. NOW it’s a flop again.
I quit watching. I personally am tired of as a woman ages the network thinks she must be replaced with a new young bimbo. Sorry but just the ” home and family” doesn’t represent what family means to me. Family to me is people of all ages. Besides she was good at it!
I stopped watching when Cristina left. What a shamemail Home & Family. Sorry Mark but you & Cristina had great chemistry. The show greatly lacks that now.