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?
you need to grow up change is good it go on every day what would happen if we didnt have change think about it
I was in a rehab unit during the summer (until mid-Sept) and they did not subscribe to the Hallmark channel. Since I watch Hallmark most of my TV time, I sorely missed it! Upon returning home, I tuned in to Home & Family. Where’s Christina? No one has ever said on the show — at least that I heard. I kept hoping she was on a temporary leave, but reading this information now, I find the truth. I always liked Debbie as part of the show, but she does not successfully replace Christina (in my opinion).
I stopped watching the show as soon as Cristina was gone. Channel is mostly on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Cristina was so talented and natural as a co-host. She made the show interesting. Even on the TV ads Mark and Debbie have forced smiles and they don’t flow well as co-hosts. I hope H&F tanks. Bad move, Hallmark.
I Love Debbie but Cristina was our family she was wonderful with us all and always showed compassion and Love for every one it just has left us hurting we miss her so much please bring her back home. Keep Debbie we love her but just not the same as Hostess. Thank You.
I love debbie, and show is much much better now.
I have been so disappointed with Debbie! Christine was wonderful, genuine, and spontaneous! Her replacement may be a nice woman, but she lacks Christine’s natural flair. I love Hallmark channel and my television is tuned to that channel more than any other. Home & Family was a joy to watch. My 30 year old daughter loved it, too! Without Debbie, it’s just another time slot filler. Mark Steins isn’t even as interesting without Christine along side. Big mistake on replacing her!
Today on Home and Families site there were 4 or 5 posts stating could Debbie please stop talking over everyone. All they do is delete the comments. This seems so ridiculous, why not tell her to please stop talking so much! She is the worst host ever. Maybe they want the show to fail.
I think it was a dirty thing to do to Christina. Nothing against Debbie but why change something which isn’t broken??? Very sad…a lot of viewers are going to be lost for this show and/or network; myself being one of them.
I have been a fan of Cristina’s since her modeling days and she is the reason why I began watching the show. Replacing Cristina with Debbie was probably done to attract younger audiences and move in a new direction but Cristina is an icon and lovely hostess.
Although I have decided to no longer watch, I wish Hallmark and Home and Family the best.
I was very disappointed that Christina left the show. I no longer watch the show. It isn’t the same without Christina and I don’t plan to watch the show again.
I liked Cristina and mark , will not be watching the show any more
I loved, loved, loved watching Home and Family with Mark and Cristina. You shouldn’t try to fix something that isn’t broken. They were great together and the whole cast was great. Where I have nothing against Debbie, she is good, I would rather see Cristina is that seat. She is the best. Miss you Cristina and wish you well.
I sorry to say , what I watched Debbie can’t take your place. I know she is trying but not same.
Loved you on H&F. I’m sure everyone there misses you. I’m not the professional so I have to believe they had there reasons although I feel you did an amazing job. I still love watching the show and the classy women you are wish them well. I pray that you are happy and healthy and a wonderful 2017. XOXO
Change is not always good. Cristina was the show with Mark as an assistant. The show is no longer of interest to me.
I actually hate the show now. I don’t watch any longer and the new co-host, Debbie, is awful, so fake.
Hallmark is a family Chanel. I will never watch your show again.
I loved the show with chtistine on it. Felt like they got rid of her because of her age. You cant put a price on grace. Stopped watching for awhile. Now only watch to see certain episodes.
I am going to put on Facebook what you did. To Cristina Ferrare. You have no right to be on the hallmark Chanel.
Did they consider audience preference is not tied to demographics? Younger, higher energy, perhaps, but that doesn’t make people feel comfortable or as “at home” as Christina’ s personality did. Debbie just isn’t the perfect fit that Christina seemed to be. I miss her and don’t enjoy the show anymore.