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?
Christina made the show with the co-host, Matt. I do not get the same feeling with the person replacing Christina. I have had to quit watching Home & Family. I really liked the show but without Christina it just isn’t as warm and doesn’t have the same feel. There was just something with Matt and Christina being the hosts that just isn’t there any more. I know many people that used to watch but also have quit since Christina left. We all feel it was an insult to the fans that Hallmark did not allow Christine to say goodbye and… Read more »
Sorry to hear Cristina has been replaced. She Is truly missed! I’m just glad to know it was not due to health issues! Younger is not always better! I’m sure this move will definitely effect the ratings! I for one will not be watching Home and Family any longer.
Actually i stopped watching the program.
I am very disappointed that Cristina was forced off the show. I did watch the new host two different times and will not go back. It would have been bad enough if the show was just cancelled but for the network to think so little of Cristina AND the fans speaks volumes of how little corporate TV cares. I feel badly that Matt was caught in the middle of this situation. Watch out Matt, you could be next. Christina, you will be missed. I hope to see your lovely smile and warm personality on another, more caring network. Thumbs down… Read more »
I miss Christina. I don’t enjoy the vibe of the show without her. Debbie tries but I just don’t enjoy the show anymore. Such a disappointment.
We want Christine back she makes home and family what it is she’s family in many of our homes my mom recently passed away in January her,me and my sister used to watch it every morning while we cared for her Christine is our favorite co host ,Christine your the bomb the real enchilada,the whip cream on our pies
I also stopped watching Home And Family since Christina was fired. She was the second female to be fired from that show since I started watching. I get angry every time I see the Home And Family commercial. How can they call themselves Home And Family when they treat their staff so poorly.
I stopped watching when Cristina left the show
Christina Ferrate “made” the show warm and inviting!!!! She was soft spoken, gentle, homey and everything that made the show successful. Now, it is dull, boring and Debbie is too unattractive, skinny, harsh, chatty, and there is NO chemistry between her and the host. Will no linger watch the show! You made a huge mistaske in firing Christina!
I am not a huge fan of TV talk shosws at all. HOWEVER, I started watching “Home and Family” over a year ago, and I actually kept the show on while I was cleaning the house. I have only watched the show once since Christina is gone. Matt, and Christina had a natural chemistry together. One of them without the other, simply ruins the show. If the POWERS THAT BE, want to save the network, and/or the show, they need to get the team of Christina and Matt back together ASAP. They made a HUGE mistake, and they need to… Read more »
Chriusti a “MADE” the show! Her replacement has NOTHING compoared to her gentle,, carng homemaker soft touch! Will never watch it again!
I don’t think the show is the same without Christina. She and Mark worked well together. I still watch the show and Debbie (?) is ok but it’s not the same. H & F should have left well enough alone!
Big mistake, she was the show, I lost interest, this is a wrong movement that happened many times, like Three Company, Two and a half. And many others. Producers can’t accept sometimes that we watch the show because we love the people that are in, any change is like removing a member of our family. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
I am truly disappointed in Hallmark. I thought they could have given more notice for CF before releasing her. I would have been very classy and heartfelt to provide her with a going away show in her honor. I feel this was not a display of love or Christian values. This channel seems to put values such as the importance of God, marriage and family in their movies but I see ratings and a buck is much more important. Very disappointed, therefore I have not been watching show. Her warm loving personality was a major factor for me to support… Read more »
I’ve really tried watching H&F since Debbie has stepped in. I just can’t get into it. I miss Christina. As a 35 year old woman I should relate more to Debbie but she just doesn’t have the charisma that Christina had. Mark and Christina balanced each other out and blended well. Debbie and Mark are both so bubbly and energetic, it’s just too much. It’s really sad, I’m a stay at home mom and this was my show every day. I don’t enjoy it anymore and deleted it from our Tivo. My husband use to watch it with me, funny,… Read more »
The heart has gone from Home and Family. Christina is sorely missed. Not a good decision by the network. I have tried to watch it a couple of times. The show is missing the spark Mark and Christina had together.Christina must return . We all miss her. The network needs to make this right or your ratings will not return.