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 am so sorry Christina is no longer on the show. I miss her. I also understand how Hollywood works. I sincerely hope there are no hard feelings. I wish the very best for Christina and her lovely family! She is a beautiful person, inside and out!
God bless you, Christina! Thank you for being part of such a wonderful show! I truly believe you have SO MUCH to offer this world with your sincerity, compassion and values! You are a light in a dark world.
The show is not the same! I miss Ferrari! I really miss her on the show, the show seems targeted to a lower age group.
Very disappointed about Ferrari no longer being on the show. She hit my age group’s maturity level but kept us feeling young. While the show representatives think that they were doing the right thing…..I feel like you are doing nothing but keeping up with Miss Susie and young and cute. Feel offended at what you think me, as an avid listener, needs or wants.
Wow!!!! I did not know until this morning. Ia so disappointed. I can’t watch the show or channel anymore. How unfortunate. Not a good move Hallmark Channel
I agree whole heartedly!
I am missing Cristina so much!!!!!! I am not interested in watching the show
anymore….it’s just not the same for me. Bad decision on someone’s part.
Good luck with the show. Not nice she was not given a farewell party. She
is a warmhearted lady and made the show so warm and inviting…show is just not the same anymore It makes me feel sad because I miss her so much.
I am like so many others…I’ve tried to enjoy the new direction of the program but find I’m just an “outsider” and it (the program) no longer feels like it’s worth my time. I had other shows to go to for this generic entertainment. I enjoyed the true concept of home and family that used to be portrayed. I was glad to check in on my “friends” and see what was happening. Now I watch, now I keep hoping for what once was, now I change the channel.
I miss Christina. Bring her back to Home and Family! She is the best!!!
Missing Cristina!!! No longer the warm family atmosphere that makes me want to extended an invitation to the Network in my Home
The show isn’t the same without Christina. She added a level of maturity and class. She is far and away better in the kitchen than Debbie. Even in the hosting only segments. Don’t know what happened but if this was managements decidion. It was wrong. I never missed this show when she hosted. Now I check in but I often just change the channel
I watch the show because of Kim And the rest of the cast. The set is so cold and unfriendly since Cristina has left I miss the family feel.
Very diappointed that Ferrare is no longer with them. She was an asset to them. I feel they made a mistake. It seems they took what made it feel like home and replaced it with just another morning like show.
I don’t watch the show since Christina was taken off. I think someone made a bad decision. I throughly enjoyed it when Christina was on the show don’t watch anymore. So sorry they took her off.
I Really Really want Cristina back. I love Debbie but she doesn’t come across as well. I watch the craft segments and when you have a great singer like Amy Grant
I always taped home and family while I was at work. Hate that Christina is no longer on the show. I only watched today because of Amy Grant. Will watch old recorded episodes with Christina hosting and then stop recording. Age discrimination is a real issue and as a grandma I have no connection with Debbie. She’s too perfect.
I really think Christina added more to the show. Debbie doesnt make as good of a co-host. I liked her on the show but not as a main role. I kept hoping Christina had just taken a leave but started wondering when she didn’t come back. I feel the audience related better to Christina. Sad to see her gone!
I enjoyed watching the show when Christina was there. She was very warm & kind. Debbie lacks that and seems to be too much into watching herself perform. No warmth there. Chemistry was much better between Christina & Mark than is between Debbie & Mark. Debbie tries too hard to out perform Mark. Do not watch the show as frequently as did when Christina was there.
My sentiments exactly! Debbie is too into herself; I’d noticed that even before she became co-hostess. Just no warm feelings there. I’ve quit watching the show. It was just making me sad. I miss Christine so much!