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?
She was the reason I watched the show. She was the show’s “glue”, the down to earth, compassionate, sincere presence. Chemistry with Mark was fine. The move was senseless. Maybe it was an attempt to draw in younger viewers, “ET” viewers. It appears networks are clueless when it comes to appreciating quality. The shows numbers will diminish, maybe then Halmark will concentrate on the geniuses responsible for this move and spend less time filtering sitcoms for inappropriate language ( BTW, jackass is not an offensive term).. I’m moving on.
I know, to producers, how to take a great show and destroy overnight. I am appalled that you would
even suggest that overbearing, and tone deaf Debbie
could hold a candle to CF, much less replace her!
She was a moron at Dollywood, when singing and as usual thinks she is the star. Cries all the time, yuck.
Who did she have to s l ee p with to get to the top?
Her Greek pronunciations are annoying. You are going
to find out she can only cook certain foods.
Cristina should still be a co-host of this show. I don’t understand why they made the change.
Karen voiced my sentiment and my question. There was plenty of variety and CF anchored nicely. I thought Woody would have been more respectful. I wonder who is next!!
I will no longer watch Home & Family without Cristina. She made
the show real and warm. Another case of “youth” or nothing.
Hallmark has lost my respect. What were you thinking, who
do you think is home and watching this show but older viewers?
I turned off Hallmark channel today, as soon as Mark started mouthing
empty words of: ..”the door is always open”. Seriously? More like
“the door is slammed in your face”. Don’t insult the intelligence of
viewers please.
Well it was the producers that Fired her NOT Mark or the rest of the Family on the show! So He probably meant the words sincerely!
i felt bad for Mark..u could tell he was having trouble saying the words..shes off on vacation..family time…etc and then when he announced that Christian would not be coming back..u could tell it was not something he wanted to say…in fact Woodie should of came on and announced it….also Im beginning to think Christian being a Christian and open about her faith…had something to do with it…and NO it shouldnt have…thats discrimation…it will have people afraid to say they are Christians if this keeps happening…but isnt that what the Bible says about the end of times…you will be asked if… Read more »
Chrustina was not fired because she is a christian, many of the Family are christians and talk about their faith, praying and about God all the time.
I thought Christina was fired because of her age and wanted to pull in the younger viewers?
I agree. Wished it was Mark leaving. I will not watch the show anymore.
So sad to hear; may have just freed up some time in my day. For me, Christina was the draw.
I will never watch or pay extra cable again to view hallmark I have lost all respect for them with the way they treated Cristina and the viewers Cristinawas and is home and family class act through and through
Will miss the class act of Cristina Ferrare. It looked like Mark Steines didn’t seem very comfortable around her much of the time. His undercutting remarks didn’t go unnoticed. I wonder when other cast members will be dismissed?
I would rather seen Mark go his comebacks are a little to much. Love Christina, a proper send off would have been nice, however I can see Christina not wanting that.
Longtime viewer of Home and Family. Love Christina, very genuine and heart warming. Why not rid of Mark who is so condescending!!! Christina’s void will be felt. Hallmark have you lost sight oh what “class” is??????
i like Mark…he adds something to the show…even with his jokes..teasing the other host..like a family..i DO NOT agree with themgetting rid of Christina…she and Mark were a great team..they complemented one another…made the show feel more like Family….i wish H&F would reconsider…to be truthful..how many 30somethings are at home during this time period…it is the older generation…retirees, who are watching this show…
Amen Clyda
The Home and Family Show was Great the way it was. Why did they break it?
I feel that Christina was Home and Family. I can not imagine why the network would feel they needed to replace her, Mark I would understand. I feel the show has gone down over the last year but Christina is definitely not the reason. I am sure that the life of the show is coming to an end.
The way they treated Cristina was distasteful and disrespectful! She was the heart of the show! Replacing her was a huge mistake! I am no longer watching the show or either Hallmark channel!
Shame on you, Cristina was the heart and soul of home &family. Will never watch it again.Didnt like the new girl on the view and don’t care for her now.She is too into herself and has no class. Just another wanne be.
I cannot bring myself to watch Home & Family after the way Hallmark treated Cristina. I will miss the show and most of the “family”, but I cannot support the unfair treatment to Cristina and the loyal fans of the show. If only Hallmark would have been honest and let Cristina have her farewell instead of being secretive and trying to slip a new co-host in. Did they think we would not notice. I hope the people behind this decision are regretting it. Just so sad!!
Iam so upset over this, Cristina made the show Debbie is ok but I am 67 years old and watch everyday, and enough with Debbie she is too young and too skinny, Cristina is a beautiful person, they are enough young people on the show young blondes enough….big mistake……………….
Am not happy with the change..I will not be watching the show without Cristina.
I am very sorry to see Chris leave, she was very talented and personal. I like Debbie, however she is too much of an actress and a loud mouth, my husband says she is a show off.
I find her a detriment to H&F, actually barely tolerated
her segments. I totally agree with your husband. She
is an annoying know it all. She will see both she and
H&F are doomed.