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?
Of two Mark would not have left such a void. I suspect ageism involved. Can’t support anymore sorry!
I think that it’s not the same show without Christine!! She has always had the sweetest personality!! I miss her very much& I want her back. Why do networks go with new people when everything had been going good!! We want Christine back!! She at least should have been able to say goodbye. Love & miss you Christine!!
I was wondering what happened to Christina? I am glad to know that she is well, but not happy to know that she has been replaced! She brought so much to the show, and she is already truly missed. I think that you all made a big mistake!
I have to agree with everyone else. They should have gotten rid of Mark and kept Cristina! The way he interrupts everyone’s segments with he stupid jokes, that no one thinks is funny but him, is just plain rude when there trying to explain there DIY! Him and Debbie don’t make it a home and family like Cristina did and I loved the that she did everyday that they don’t do as good now that she’s gone
LOVED HER SHE HAD A BIG HEART AND MADE THE SHOW FEEL LIKE A REAL FAMILY. WE WANT HER BACK.
HOLIDAYS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT .
I’m very saddened that Christina was fired! She did a great job co-hosting the show, i really don’t care for Debbie she’s so fake!! Very disappointed fan!!!
I no longer watch home and family show. Cristina was so loving,sincere and charming I loved watching her though I tolerated mark, Cristina was the one I loved watching. Debbie is so fake I can’t stand to watch this show.
But, I did watch when you had Kym Douglas and Dylan Neal did a FABULOUS job. Though I continue to watch the hallmark christmas movies I will NOT watch the home and family show.
It still disappoints me that Cristina is gone, primarily because I cannot see any justification for it. She was the true leader and star of that show, making us feel part of the “family”. I tolerated Mark’s childish comments and jokes because I got to watch her. Cristina was genuine and heartwarming. I miss her and wish her success beyond The Hallmark Channel. Home and Family may survive because of the guests and the arts/crafts draw, I suppose, but it will have nothing to do with Debbie. She is not natural at all and will lock a smile and pose… Read more »
I have not watch it since Cristina left the show not the same, co-host is boring Cristina light up the show.
I haven’t watched the show after about a couple weeks that Christina was no longer on it. Whatever happened I don’t know. I just thought maybe they wanted a younger host. I honestly don’t see this show lasting for too long. I watched for a few minutes today (haven’t watched in months) and there’s just something missing. It’s unfortunate.
Hi Cristina,since I’m not on Facebook this is the only way I have to communicate with you.I would like to know if you still stay intouch with anyone from Home and Family.Have any of them reached out to you? I am sure a lot of us would like to know. We miss you.
Shoot…just looking for a new morning show and thought of Christina’s show! Couldn’t remember the name but knew she was cohost…disappointed to see she is no longer on even I know I’m really late in thinking of the show-I’m a local channel watcher! Will follow her on fb to see if and hopefully where she will go next!
I really miss Christina, her replacement I’m sorry to say does not light up the show, boring in better words.. When Home and Family comes on now I switch to your other Hallmark channel, when you have movies on! I sure hope it was not because of her age, because
that would not be what Hallmark is all about, we all look for your happy endings!!
No I don’t watch the show anymore I can’t relate to the new host I could relate to Christine and she was great a lot of people I know don’t watch it anymore either
I won’t watch anymore. Cristina was let go after she did a favor for the producer by staying cohost with Marc while they sought a replacement at the Home & Family Show.. When it was evident that they couldn’t find someone better, they asked Cristina to be permanent cohost. After all this time they have now decided that Cristina should be replaced? Really? I smell AGEISM ……if the male host was her age. He would not have been summarily fired!