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?
Cristina was like your mom,sister & best friend all wrapped into one. Bring her back. No longer watching.
I love Hallmark Channel but will never watch the Home and Family show again. Christina was someone that you would want as a best friend. I don’t feel that same warmth with the new co-host.
I have not watched the shows since Christina has left so i think it should be taking off since you gave no warning
I miss Christine. I feel she was a much better host.
I will not watch this show anymore. I have tried a few times, and just not feeling it. I am sick to death of the young and beautiful, whether they deserve the job or not, getting it. One of the reasons I like the Hallmark channel is for its simple family values. This does not speak that to me. SHAME on you Hallmark.
The fact that this site continues to grow is evidence of the viewers’ love and appreciation for Cristina Ferrare as long time host of Home & Family. It should come as no surprise to network executives that her dismissal and abrupt announcement in June, with no on-air mention since, contributes to viewers’ continued dissatisfaction. It’s sad that those truths cannot be appropriately acknowledged and publicly addressed. Extremely disappointing! Nevertheless, best wishes to Cristina Ferrare in all she does!
I am upset that she was let go. It is not the same without her. She did a great job. You will feel the repercussions of this by losing viewers and ratings. It was so wrong not to let her even say goodbye. I thought this show had more class than this
I used to watch the original Home and Family occasionally so when it came back I watch it everyday and DVR it. I loved Christina as a host. I find that she is genuine. I still watch it now but I’m not as happy. I just don’t like Debbie as a host and its nothing personal. Anyway I still watch it esp. for the crafts.
I will not watch the show. Christina made it truly feel like family and home for me.
I no longer watch the show….Christine WAS the heart and soul…..Miss her class and beauty !!
I have not watched hardly at all since Christina was fired. I just feel she was so genuine and do not feel that anymore with the new cohost. I have tried to watch and have to turn it. It’s very sad cuz I loved the show with Christina.
I have been very busy and as a result, I have not watched the show in many months. I was very disappointed that Christina, had been removed from the show, after watching the show all last week, I have decided that the chemistry of this show is not what I like, it is hard to explain what I don’ t like about it, I just know I do not care for this pairing
Will not be watching any more do not care for new host liked Cristina Ferrare and it is not the same without her
Will missChritina. She was great. A truly genuine person. But I don’t think I will be watching anymore now that she is gone
I watch the show once in awhile but since the new host is there it is not something that I will even watch once in awhile. It has a different feel not so fun and all about young people . I really identified with Christina she has a lot of knowledge and experience.