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 have watching Cristina Ferrare for years had more of a bond with her. The new host , no bond , there is nothing to build on older viewership will drop .
If she was let go due to her age it is an insult to every woman over 50. And so interesting that the one who did it is older than dirt…..Woody. Haven’t watched this show since Cristina left. Debbie never saw a camera she didn’t like.
I think they saw Debbie as something Big Time. Like getting a Kardashian.
If they actually let Cristina go I think that’s pretty nasty of them.
Not watching anymore
It’s time to have family oriented programs back on TV. Christina gave the show elegance. I won’t be watching anymore now that she’s replaced.
I enjoyed Home and Family when Christina was co-host. I have tried to watch since the change but the atmosphere is not the same—even the advertisements present a different approach to family. I am very disappointed in Hallmark for making this change and will no longer be watching this show. The new co-host does not seem to portray home or family, hopefully she will change.
The show is not the same…you felt at home with Cristina…
I liked Christina better as a co-host… it was a warmer, ‘better. grounded show when it come to views. You could tell she really enjoyed what she did. I miss her and the show does not feel the same. Please bring her back.
Christina was beautiful, gracious and poised. She made the show so interesting and I loved her style. Debbie is too loud, too fast moving and too brash. It just all seems a little phony to me. The homey warm atmosphere is gone. Maybe the Debbie change is for the younger generation. I won’t be watching anymore and I wish Christina the best.
I miss seeing Christina and will NOT be watching Home and Family any longer. Programmers messed up letting Christian go.
I thought Home and Family was a real family like show and maybe it is…now a days family seems to be expendable. I’m so sorry they felt you had no contribution. I want you to know that you and Mark made the show seem more warm, loving, careing, and real! Like a “Family”! You and Mark had a great connection. That seems to be missing now. Don’t get me wrong I like Debbie too but she can’t feel your shoes. The show to me now is about gift ideas, arts, crafts, clothes, etc…but the warmth of the family part is… Read more »
I agree w/other watchers-you disrespected Christina if you fired her for her age-she’s beautiful and has a warm personality (you should not show old people as guests if that’s your feeling about her age).I’m so upset & disappointed Hallmark you r so unfair,not loyal to your family as you should be for Christina’s years of hard work & loyalty to you!
I tried to go back today to get some holiday ideas and just couldn’t watch.it seems so fake. Cristina has grace and chemistry that is now gone from the show.
I love Christina & I miss her☹️️Why replace her-why can’t you just have her &Debbie work together as you had them doing Before?was there a misunderstanding between them they could not work out? PLEASE bring her back w/Debbie
I feel the way she was taken off the air was wrong. She was not given a nice send off which I think she deserved. I like Debbie but Cristina needs to come back the show has lost it’s warm and charm. Her and Mark had a great connection that he just doesn’t have with Debbie. I still watch the show because I like the guests and DIY segments but miss Cristina’s
Cristina I miss you and hope you are doing well.