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 never missed home and family but now that Cristina is gone I don’t watch it anymore
I feel that Christina gave more sincerity to the show and just seemed more authentic. The show seems to have lost that true “family” continuity since Christina left. I prefer that warm feeling the show used to give now it just seems robotic/filtered. Christina was the real deal.
Ditto. Christina MADE that show. Won’t watch anymore. Was barely able to tolerate Mark, he is terrible at hosting and CANNOT Stand Debbie. And her hair hangs over food she majes; yuck! Her wardrobe is offensive and ugly most of the time. The way she kisses up to Mark makes me sick. They may have been friens ekeven years but gurss what….They both have No Class. Chrustina”s middle name Is Class. She is a true professional and enjoy watching her. Christina should have her Own show and have Kym, Paige, Ken, the doc, and Matt, Stephanie and ctew join her… Read more »
I dont watch anymore, Cristinia, was great!!!.
We dont like her gone.
I don’t like the new home and family Cristina was the show and you should bring her back I will not watch it .It sad that Cristina is gone
Ditto. We all miss, are lonesome for Christina.
Well said. The people running things have No clue who thier audience is, nor what it means to have Christian values, morals and class. The way they got rid of her was classless. Cannot wach anymore.
Tried to watch Home and Family, but missed Cristina so much!!!!!!! I can’t bare to watch it any more.
I truly miss Christina. I do not watch the show anymore!! Debbie is irritating to watch. You guys really goofed up!!!!
I really enjoyed Cristina
Don’t like Debbie at all! Love Christina, bring her back!!!!
Change is something we all go through. But sometimes executives don’t think things out. I used to record all the shows and watch them on my days off. The holiday shows my FAVORITE! Loved all the projects. Classy beautiful something I would definitely do. Recipes that I got are family favorites. Debbie the replacement seems more plastic, acting the enthusiasm for the cameras. The show lost my interest.
Totally agree! Bring back Christina!
That still didn’t tell us why she’s gone?
I loved watching the show with ALL of them & thought they made a great ‘family’ Don’t watch as much anymore because of this change…sad
What did Debbie mean today on the show when she said to Mark “I get to keep you until January 2nd” WHAT? Please explain. I must have missed something. Who is leaving the show, Debbie or Mark?
They said she just meant he will be doing the Rose parade with Liza Gibbons. We can only hope they both will be leaving soon!
You will be missed, you will be in our prayers, as for the Home & Family executives your show is about family memories & traditions but you forgot family are all ages and you replaced a beautiful family member with a younger shiny model, it makes me sad and very disappointed.
Very bad decision! while nothing against Debbie, she is a lovely person. But everyone loved Christina and she was the glue that held the show together. She brought such energy and enthusiasm. I will no longer be tuning in. Sorry!
I had been wandering what happened to Cristina, thinking maybe she was sick like others. However, now I know she was just replaced. I liked Cristina very much as she had/has a great personality & was genuinely fun on the show. I do like Debbie, but as with all new host, it takes time to get adjusted to he or she. It does depend on the host interactions with the other co-host and the guests. I do watch the show, but not everday, and I like Debbie, but Cristina really connected with her audience.
I have been so upset since Christina has been gone, didn’t watch for a long time, have been trying to watch, but everyone is right, Mark and Debbie just don’t make things feel like family. Debbie is fake and always has been, Mark is rude and always has been. What was Hallmark thinking, they have lost so many us that loved Christina. Christina, we love and miss you.