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?
Every time christina was off for one week because she was on vacation I missed her but she was always back. this time I thought something must be wrong because 2 weeks had passed. If she was fired why did Mark say she is always welcome back? Debbie is ok for a once or twice a week segment but she is not christina. she is loud, interfears with everything and everybody does not know how to applaud and her constant immitation of her mother is tiresome. christina is the one and only and if all her home and family friends… Read more »
Hey HM, you just lost 2 viewers of H & F. The wife and I stopped watching because of this switch.
I like Debbie, but out of respect for Cristina, I will no longer watch the show. My family can’t believe I’m no longer watching it. I was telling them daily about things I learned on home and Family. I will miss the show, but don’t appreciate the way Cristina was treated
I was the same way – I’m sure my friends and family were tired of me telling them about a segment I had seen or something I had learned on Home and Family. I already miss the show but I think people have to stand up whenever someone/anyone is treated poorly.
Sorry that Cristina is gone from H&F. There is a whole demographic not being represented on the show…that is the mature woman. H&F lost my vote as my favorite TV program. It was about the only daytime program that was worth watching. Now my TV is silent during the day. Pray that Cristina gets her on show so we can listen to someone that we identify with. Everyone else is nice but they are nowhere near as classy as Cristina.
I have been watching the show for almost all if the 4 seasons and lover it. however I am kidding myself to say that I will continue to watch it as faithfully. No disrespect to Debbie l. But she has contributed much great fashion ideas, but does not have that spark and charisma that Christina had. I am very disappointed in Hallmarks poor decision to fire Christina Ferrare.
I never thought the brand called The Hallmark Channel would lower to the level that the Kelly and Michael show did by treating Cristina in such a way. I have been promoting the show to family and friends and now I have to let them know how terrible one of their classier hosts was treated. Debbie is just another young face and millennial. The American viewing audience is about substance and Cristina provided that. Mark is doing all that he can and can be a little pushy at times but class, authenticity, and a sense of caring is missed with… Read more »
Christina is a gentle soul to replace her with a loudmouth egotistical in your face personality is a disgrace. Debbie and Mark have the same personalities,hog the mike,don’t give people a chance to talk and be sarcastic and biting with a childish sense of humor. Christina can do better than this show without a soul.
Cancel the show! Christina was the Heart and soul of H&F. I will no longer watch a show that doesn’t show loyalty! I can’t stand Debbie, she is so fake!
I watch the show because I like Christena the show now with Debbie is not the same .It doesn’t make you smile like Christena did I now just watch the craftsm
I no longer watch the show. Never did like Debbie, but was able to put up with her attention getting behavior.
I think it was wrong to replace Christina. She did a great job on the show. I think it was wrong not to say why Christina was fired and I also think for all the years Christina was on the show she should of have a proper send off. Having Debbie as Christians replacement is not good. She talks to much about her daughter, she interrupts when other people are talking and she acts to silly on the show like she is saying look at me. Christina never did that. She worked well with Mark. She did act silly. Everything… Read more »
Knowing Cristina will no longer be on the show, I find it very difficult to watch it with out her, she is the Heart & Soul of H&F……so sad Hallmark you ruined the show !!!!! Sorry but had to stop recording………..☹️
I am very disappointed that Cristina is gone. What the overall show lacks now is “class”. Seems as though it’s just a bunch of folks trying to be clever. Where’s the substance? It is gone, as am I…from the audience.
We will no longer wat H & F. Not fond of Debbie and have not been for the longest; we started taping the shows years ago so we could skip over her. She is so disingenous and it is sickning how she plays to the camera. We have watched every show for years. How sad that Christina is gone ! WE LOVE YOU, CHRISTINA. HALLMARK’s loss.
I will say you have a match now because Debbie and Mark are both full of theirselves. Will miss Christina!! No more home and family for me. Hope Kym Douglas leaves!!
The show starting going downhill this year. Tanya left and new YOUNGER peolple started comiing in. Isn’t Kym now the oldest… Oh well, us baby boomers lose another one.