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 liked Cristina! And if you replaced her just so you could have a younger woman, then yeah I am pissed! And I will quit watching for that reason!
I luv the show, and will continue to watch,, I do miss Cristina Ferrare,, but mayb it was time for a change of Hosts,,, I luv the ideas on the show,,,all of them, THANKSGIVIN is my fav Holiday,,, I also luv celebrating Christmas, and the ideas they have on the show food and decoratin wise,, just wonderful,,,,,
Sorry that network made this mistake. I love the cast but there is only one Cristina. She had the magic spark. The show has lost myself and many of my friends. You had a great show that worked and you missed the public response..
WOW, I can’t believe Christina is no longer a co- host on Home and Family! There has got to be more to it as to why she is not. At any rate i will definately NOT be watching your show any longer!! Mark and Debbie are annoying! I tolerated Mark because of Christina. Love you Christina you will be sorely missed. Hope to see you on your own show.!!!
I no longer watch home & family because they let Christina go! I’m so disappointed because I loved Christmas season! So I watch other movies until home & family is over then go back to hallmark channel. It is my favorite channel!!! But they do not care what us watchers who made them what they are today feel. Just say look we made a mistake, our viewers want Christina back so we brought her back for you guys! That would be the best decision EVER!!!!!
Very surprised to see Christina not on the show. Hadn’t watched all summer due to my work and miss her already. Not the same- HUGE mistake….
I am not happy with the change. Christina was the true face of home and family. The network made a mistake. So sorry it was a good match..
I think the Show and Network handled this very poorly. Why the secret? Give Christina the sendoff and thank you she deserved. I like Debbie as an extra, but the show seems different and less homey & sincere now. Christina brought much more of the “home & family love” to the fans than Debbie does. I’ve given it 2 weeks and I just don’t have the same feel for the show. I think it’s time for me to find another show… The Christmas special was very disappointing with no “Home & Family” LOVE from Christina!
No, I don’t plan on watching in the future. What is wrong with you people, you
always manage to destroy the best programs. Congrats!
Debbie – really??? Where is the elegance, warmth and grace of Christina???
Christina made the show feel like home. Her years of being mom and housewife gave her the experience that she needed to teach us how to be better. Who wouldn’t want to go to her house for Sunday dinner or Thanksgiving! I watched because of her. I have no interest in watching now. Very sad for Hallmark viewers. I’m surprised they don’t know their own viewers. Sad!
Don’t watch anymore. Used to be my favorite show. Cristina was the heart and soul of Home and Family. I often wonder how Mark feels. Cristina took such good care of him and his boys, along with the entire cast. Such a huge loss for Hallmark.
I agree. She made the show feel warm and sincere. Young and cutesy doesn’t always come out sincere. I miss her.
I Miss Cristina….. the show is not the same without her!!!!!! I really don’t watch it anymore.
I used to watch it everyday but…..not anymore, its not the same without Cristina….she was a great hostess!!!!! their loss!!!!!
I was very disappointed that Christina left Home ad Family and I am just as disappointed in her replacement.
I really miss Christina She was the Heart of the show. I will be watching it less. She brought “a touch of class” & real life experiences to the show!!
Cristina was the heart of the show- I won’t watch anymore. So sad for this. Love you Cristina!