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 think they made a mistake replacing her. I don’t personally care for the new co-host. I have actually stopped watching the show. It just isn’t the same now. Christina you are missed greatly.
I do not even watch anymore. Debbie thinks she is all that, I have never liked her. How many times does she have to brag about being Greek or whatever and showing off speaking that language? Christina was so graceful and genuine.
Will never watch it again! Loved Christina!!
I do not like the new girl on the show!!! I don’t know why you let Christina go, but it wasn’t a good move! I used to watch the show…but not anymore!! I think how you treated her is disgraceful!!
I’m stunned Cristina is gone . She gave the show spark and personality . I won’t be watching any longer. They seemed liked a family, and the heart of that family is gone .
Show should be canceled . I will no longer watch the program . Cristina made the show and made people
Feel like she was a caring mother that brought the show together
I don’t think what they did was right when they fired Christina. The show definitely isn’t the same without her, and I for one won’t be watching the Home and Family show any longer.
I LOVED Cfristina Ferrare and will NEVER eatch home and family again! What a way to treat such a wonderful lady!
I love Debbie……….. But! its not the same without Cristina Ferrare. She added to the show in a way the Debbie could never bring to the show. Cristina is kind, warm, and very funny and an awesome cook!. I’m very sad she was fired and i’m thinking Hallmark made a big mistake letting her go. I’m mostly disappointing in how it was done……..She should have had an Awesome send off!! And a chance to say goodbye to her fans…….I’ve tried to get back into the show i loved so much. but its just not the same without Cristina. I love… Read more »
i guess I’m in the minority here. I had stopped watching the show some months ago because I could not stand Cristina’s constant interrupting, not paying attentions to things, botching recipes and crafts. She;seemed like she was out of it many times and it was very annoying. I only realized she was no longer with the show when I saw a commercial while watching one of the Christmas movies and saw Debbie with Mark, so I came online to check it out. I for one will resume watching the show again.
I use to watch H&Friday daily, since my hours have changed I wasn’t able to watch it all the time, I went to watch it this week and noticed Cristina Ferrare was not on. I Google the show and saw she was fired. I will longer watch the show again, and speaking of shows my mother and sister stop watching it as well.
With Cristina Ferrare gone, I am gone. Adios!!
I more than likely will not watch. I feel she was a good balance. Christina gave the show a real perspective
Cristina Ferrare is such a gracious lady and beautiful soul. She embodies the qualities purportedly espoused by the Hallmark Channel and Home & Family show in particular. Newer does not necessarily mean better.
I have watched Home and Family since it was brought back by Woody Frasier on Hallmark Channel, and I think that firing Christina and replacing her with Debbie was an awful change to the show. Christina had a warmth that Debbie does not possess, and please don’t tell me that Debbie brings a younger demographic because I’m her supposed age and I’m no longer watching the show because of her. Debbie can’t even cook! How many guests/Family Members will they have do a cooking segment before they realize that viewers know DM can’t cook , let alone, carry a show?!… Read more »
The “new” show just does not have the same feeling for me.. that feeling of warmth and genuiness while being entertaining without Cristina. I do not enjoy watching it now.