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?
Am terribly upset about Christina! She was fantastic. Why do the powers that be upset a good thing!
We really miss Christina. She was the heart of the show and the very meaning of home and family. Debbie is wonderful and fun, but not the heart of the family. They made a mistake in replacing her.
We are heartbroken that Christina was fired. The show hasn’t been the same for the past three weeks. It’s just off. We won’t be watching Chesapeake Shores either. Still mad about Cedar Cove being cancelled. Then there was the fiasco with The Bridge where they showed Part one and they didn’t show Part two for months. Weird management decisions.
Cristina made the show and the meaning of it .. Home and Family.. Oops Clothes on my previous comment !!!SNqYu
I will miss Cristina and will not watch Home & Family .. Again..Very boring!!! I do not care for Debbie and Mark cannot carry the show without Cristina.. I actually think they should of had Kym replace her for awhile ..a better transition.. There ratings will go down.. I hope Cristina has other plans as a host even a cooking show..I watched her in the nineties and loved her then..I love her cotes and watch the show to see what she was wearing..After all she was a No 1 model and is still a beautiful woman..Debbie and Mark are Tv… Read more »
Christina was the best part of the show. It is no longer the same. Mark is too corny and thinks he is cute. The show no longer has the feel it had with Christina. Bad mistake, poor choices.
I think it was a bad decision to let Cristina go. She was the reason I watched Home and Family. I think Debbie id nothing but a cry baby and she could NEVER fill the shoes of Cristina. I won’t watch the show because of you people having no feelings for the fans who watch. As far as I’m concerned you can cancel the program. Shame on you.
I think it is a big mistake replacing Christina with Debbie. I can tell you that I will definitely will not watch home and family any longer. Christina was the best and you will see a big change in the ratings.
It’s simple, the network dumped the “old lady” for the young girl! Shame! A sad realization of how marketing looks at society and thinks old folks are useless…no Hallmark for me.
Maybe an independent network will see the value of the seasoned folks because we still have a little money to spend and we choose wisely.
Sad…
I agree with lots of other viewers that Mark should have been the one to go, he is so annoying and not funny. I can’t even imagine why Cristina was replaced. If the rating are down, it is probably because of Mark!
I loved home and family. Christina brought a sense of family to the show. The new girl looks and acts like Kelly Rippa, ugh! No longer enjoy the show.
Home and Family had died as we know it with the firing of Cristina.
RIP HF
Great job of summing up this whole fiasco in just a few words. This is exactly what it feels like.
I’m so disappointed in Hallmark. Christina was a wonderful co-host and help make the show one that I watch daily. Debbie is good as a contributor, but she is too much for the co-host. She gets on my nerves. I’m sure a large percentage of the Home & Family viewers are older women who related much more to Christina. Hallmark needs to consider their loyal viewers. Mark and Christina made a great team. Please bring Christina back!
Think Home and Family made a big mistake. Christina is so real and knowledgeable. Mark needs to be pulled back every now and then and she could do it. Debbie is good but isn’t CHRISTINA and I really miss her. I haven’t watch every day like before.
I am heartbroken. Christina was the most humble, down to earth and real person on this show. Her personality was such a draw. Even her little “mistakes” we’re endearing. Debbie is too full of herself like Mark, so there is no balance to enjoy. And why no send off? All that “we are a family” is phoney without one. Big mistake Hallmark.