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 will not be watching it anymore. I liked Christina.
I no longer watch Home and family it is not the same. I miss Cristina
I had been unemployed for a while and had become a great fan of the show. I’m again not working and was greatly disappointed that Christina was no longer on the show. I will no longer be watching the show.
Honestly, big mistake. H&F was a rare jewel and that was in part due to Christina. As a woman, it was so refreshing to turn on a show and watch a real woman with real struggles and real life experiences and a little life under her belt. That’s what women enjoy…being able to relate to other women. She wasn’t “perfect,” but that’s what made her perfect for the show! Too bad:(
Christina was the Home and Family of the show….the star. Mark has lost his “zing” without her and Debbie is sidekick material. EVen though I truely enjoy the rest on the show, I will no longer be watching the show or encouraging friends and family to do so. Networks should listen to the fans as we are the ones who make up the ratings.
Extremely disappointed . Christinia is the best.Halmark you made a big mistake alot of us won’t b watching anymore . You know the old saying if it aint broke don’t fix it May God Bless You Christinia and your family. You were very graceful and caring more than Halmark
Christina was the star of the show and why I faithfully watched it. I did not care too much for Mark and Debbie is sidekick material. It’s very sad, and now that I am aware Christina was more or less fired, I will no longer be watching the show nor raving about it to my friends and family. Christina brought Home and Family to the show.
How can a show be both sterile and stagnant at the same time? Most of this show seems this way to me.
Cristina was the best part of the whole show. She’s warm and loving and real…she’s family. Mark is likeable too but they didn’t seem to mesh well. Debbie is great and so are the other girls but they are all the same so it’s incredibly boring. It reminds me of an over aged teen slumber party…only more boring. The only person I wait to see now is the great craft guy they have love his snowman but I have to wait over an hour through a bunch of junk to see what I want to see so sometimes I just… Read more »
Im confused-if Cristina was fired because of age then why do you still have Sophie and Kim (no offense -I llove them too) as part of show?
Hallmark producers obviously going for looks rather than experience and Heart. Good luck with that.
I don’t watch the show anymore since Christina left. Big mistake!!!
I had an seen a episode where Mark was quite rude to Christina and she told him not to take his issues at home out on her. Seemed that Mark could not get along with Christina. Wish Christina had stayed and Mark was fired. Not interested in watching the show anymore. Christina Ferrarre had a delightful personality and creative ideas.
AMEN! Sherrie! AMEN!
Christina “IS” Home and Family. Younger doesn’t mean BETTER. The H and F casting directors have it all wrong. MATURITY is a good thing. Christina was a great fit for the show. Mark is a great guy but the chemistry won’ t be the same. Its a pity.
Mark looks a lot older sitting next to Debbie
I’m done with that show