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 the show anymore.. finnally get the channel. NO Christine..
I just recently started watching the show about a year ago. I must say that one of the reasons that I kept watching was I liked Cristina, she was funny and sincere towards people. I probably wont watch anymore it’s just not the same
Personally I don’t like Debbie, it seems she has to have her hand’s into or onto everything and one’s hair, just to over showy, relax it isn’t all about you, let others in and hush, take it from one who is like you lol.. I luv the show..
Well Jacqueline, open your eyes, Debbie stinks at being a host!!Shes not new to tv. She couldn’t make it on the View,and if the producers of Home and Family weren’t so STUPID AND STUBBORN, she’d be off this show !!!!
Here on the west coast we get The Kitchen at seven in the morning,for two hours,just like Home and Family. It’s on the Food network.its on Monday , every day there is a different show., the Kitchen is the best! It’s funny and informative. I DONT MISS HOME AND FAMILT AT ALL!!! Watch The Kitchen, you’ll love it.
I’ll check The Kitchen out. I can’t watch H&F anymore. Even when Kym, who I love, hosted the show a week or so ago I realized that the Magic of that show is gone. Elvis has left the building.
I miss Christina. I miss her quiet gentle kindness and compassion for all her guests and viewers. I don’t enjoy watching the program anymore, so I’ve stopped.
I miss Christina a lot, and have not watched the show much since she was let go, She and Mark make the show, so I am on to something else now!!!!!
I understand all of you liked the old host, but please let’s give the new hostess a chance. It wasn’t her choice to replace Cristina the show haired her. Remember pointing out any faults she has in your eyes is disrespectful to her and others new to the program. Merry Christmas-PEACE TO ALL IN THE NEW YEAR?……….?..
It’s been almost 6 months since Cristina was fired.
The fan’s of Cristina aren’t getting over this ever.
Yes Jean, this has been going on for over 6 months and just seems to keep growing. I’m not sure Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott, Michele Vicary also at Hallmark and Woody Fraser choose to ignore what is so overwhelming obvious that the viewers are truly dismayed and unhappy about the change. I hear you, and I want to thank you for your kind words of support. I am moving on in love, acceptance and forgiveness. I must be honest it was a tuff one.
They don’t get it! When you left, so did the integrity of the show: high standards, emotional honesty, intellectual capability. All of these comments posted here are proof that we’re in need of your genuine gifts that you have shared with us. These nice comments won’t end because your sweet spirit has touched us in a manner that lasts forever. Thank you.
Cristina, I think they don’t want to admit they were so wrong. Old Woody seems to be an arrogant old dude, the type that thinks he knows it all. They most likely cooked their own goose, as the saying goes. I imagine the show will not last much longer. They tried to convince everyone Debbie was a fan favorite, which she was not. She has never lasted long on any show, too fake, just not host material. She may be a nice woman, nothing against her but the people in charge should have known better. I guess she works cheap… Read more »
I don’t watch Home and Family anymore since Cristina left
I don’t watch it anymore! Loved Chrstina!
I will no longer watch show.
Really miss Christina. I’m still watching but it sure isn’t the same. I think the network made a big mistake. I don’t watch as much.
I really liked Christina better. She is very missed. Don’t watch show as much now.
What a sad way to end such a great relationship. How can it be home and family if you just disappear a major contributor. this is not a sitcom where the big brother goes to attic and never returns. Poorly handled, family deserves a chance to say goodbye. I am sure this is about ” younger better” but those of us who have watched this show so long just find it disrespectful to Chistina and the viewer. Not watching it any more.
Well said!
I am terribly upset to find out that she was fired. I’ve been wondering what happened to Christina, and just today decided to try and google it. Well, I’m not so sure her replacement was the best choice, I miss Christina…hopes she gets her own show…then maybe I’ll watch again.
I dont like the new host as much and probably wont watch the show as often. And what was the reason for the dismissal? I always liked hallmark tv but unless she was unbearable to work with there is no reason to fire her.
Aww. Sad. I will miss you a lot Christina. Not a fan of dm. Too corny and fake. Hate her goldilocks ,,,,, totally wrong and very unfashionable that females wear that hairstyle with black roots. Looks awful. Ugh.
I haven’t watched jm2much tv lately.but decided to watch a Christmas show.and was surprised to see that Christina was gone. I always thought she was a genuine caring loving person. I can no longer watch Home and Family not even for the Holidays .