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 may not watching anymore. It’s just not the same. Love mark, and so happy for him getting married. But I just can’t watch it anymore. And I watched for YEARS!!
I first saw Christina on Oprah’s show and really liked her. I DVR’d her Home and Family, in case I was to sick to watch at 10:00. No longer watch it. I am enjoying your show with Maria. God Bless You and Heal you friend.
I was a very loyal home and family tv show watcher until Cristina was fired. Even though I like Debbie, the show has lost it’s family feeling. I can’t watch anymore. Now I watch LMN.
Christina Ferrare was the connection I made to Home & Family…. without her it’s lost that heart and soul… I’ve divorced myself from Home & Famoly now. There decision for Debbie made my leaving even more justified.
Home & Family is NOT the same without Christina.,. I am so very sad about this … CHRISTINA made the show, and now I don’t even watch … TRULY sad about this ..,
*show for me
I quit watching H and F after Cristina left. She was the show girl me.
My husband turns Home and Family on sometimes in the morning but I find I just don’t have the stomach for it anymore. It feels rehearsed and cold. I miss Christina so much. This Christmas season will be missing something.
I must say, I have never commented on any other tv show. I loved watching Home and Family when Cristina was co-host. Since she was fired the show has lost everything that made it great. People say, Oh Hallmark doesn’t care what we think or write here. I bet they care a lot! They care so much they monitor and delete every negative comment on their site. You better believe they are regretting what they did and will continue to regret it until their show is canceled! What goes around comes around! Cristina will be a hit some where else!
The show is off 100%. Cristina was the reason I watched
I do not watch it anymore
Cristina is prospering and moving on to bigger and better things
Why don’t you cancel the most boring two hour tv show on your network and just show Christmas movies. Nobody’s watching! Get a clue!
I love the show but it was as because of Cristina! She made the show what it was Home and Family! I no longer watch it! It has issues and isn’t the show it was! Bring Cristina back!
Christina and mark had a special connection that will be missed! Debbie does not fill her shoes as effectively! I for one will no longer be watching!
I am disappointed Christina isn’t on the show anymore. The show is for all ages so if you are trying to get a younger crowd good luck, they don’t cook. Christina brought a sense of home to the show, she made it seem so comfortable like you were in her kitchen. I really miss her. I tried watching the show Debbie doesn’t seem very natural and doesn’t seem to know much about cooking. I will miss not watching this show.
I am so disappointed Christina was replaced. I no longer will be watching the show.