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 no longer watch. Two reasons , it was disrespectful to have blindsided Cristina. And the show has lost its charm. So sad.
I no longer watch the show since Christine is absent. She made the show extra special
I have not watched it since they fired her in such a disrespectful way. I channel surf and stopped for about two minutes to watch Ken do a home decorating idea. Then moved one. It isn’t the same. I have been able to do so many other projects around the house because I now have two hours back! I guess I should thank Hallmatk for giving me two hours back to do other things besides sitting on my butt watching tv.
I am sorry to hear . Where one door closed God will open another. I wish her well.
Honestly, when I first began watching “Home and Family” I thought Mark and Cristina were a married couple hosting the show. I remember thinking this is awesome! They worked so well together….one flattered the other. I believe firing Cristina was a huge mistake. Like others…the show just isn’t the same and I won’t be watching.
C.cancel the .it is no longer home and family. Haven’t watched. Since Christina left. Hallmark handle it very Bradley.
So sorry to see Christina gone, I thought I’d get used to the show but it just isn’t the same without her vibrant personality. She so respected each guest and provided much enjoyment to her show. I just can’t get attached to Debbie, she doesn’t have the “sparkle” to keep the show alive. Mark was a great sidekick but it was Christina that carried the show and sadly I don’t believe that the powers that be were crafters or cooks nor had a handle on the pulse of their audience. I’m sad to not be a viewer any longer. I… Read more »
Christina was Home and Family! She is a classy lady. I no longer watch the show! Wish her well in the next chapter of her career!
Christina is such a classy lady. Will not qwatch the show anymore the replacement does measure up to her.
Bring Cristina back!!!
I have watched H&F for the months since Cristina was fired…just to see what direction they were going to take. I have seen the changes that are not positive in the least. They had “contests” where viewers could be part time contributors…so far, only the DIYer, the wonderful Amber (Damasklove) has been on more than once. Their home cook winner? I haven’t seen her after the day she won. I call fraud. Debbie is obnoxious, and I am so sick of her turning the conversation to her and her family. Since Mark got married, his wife has been on more… Read more »
I could not believe it when the show came on and wow no Christina. The show is not the same without her.
I miss Cristina terribly, I watched faithfully when she was co-host. I watched her when she and Woody had a previous program much like Home & Family. I have always been one of her biggest fans, and always will be. I occasionally watch the program now but it is just not the same. Cristina is irreplaceable!!!
Gauging the comments and agreeing with them all Christina was served a huge disservice. Why on earth would you replace the life of the program? Ratings? Well obviously you network people were wrong! I won’t be watching anymore!
The show is no where near as good without Christina! Probably will not watch Home & Family anymore.