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?
It seems to me that Christina was the best hostess since it is obvious that the network has fumbled big time with Deb, since they have been bringing in different hosts and hostesses! Christina, you are the epitome of a true lady, and hostess extraordinaire!!!!!!
I whole heartedly agree……. I loved Christina…..and if it was an age thing, I think that is absolutely horrible….. don’t watch it now……Shame on you, Hallmark!!!!!!!!!!!
I liked Christina better and have not watched it but one time after she was gone bring her back !!!!!
Show is not the same without Cristina. Use to watch it all the time not so much anymore. She brought class to the show.
She will be missed l don’t think we will wach tthe show any more
I have watched the show for so long and was very disappointed when Cristina left the show. I think the show was very disrespectful to us the viewers to not tell us what was going on. I am still watching but not as much. It has gotten so silly. I don’t know how much longer I will watch this show
I have stop watching Home & Family since Christina is no longer hosting . I had watched the show from the beginning and thought Christina made it home & family she is so warm and inviting.would love to see her back
Awful, Christina WAS the heart of the show. Regardless if “the show must go on” what matter to me is Christina. Sometimes change is good, but not when is imposed. It is difficult and challenging. Christina, you are a strong, beautiful person, a pioneer. I am sure this is just a new challenge in your life. Go on, keep on living, loving and giving. All of us are right behind you loving you back. PS: 10 months ago I moved to an area where I don’t have Hallmark , came across this info looking for a way to watch the… Read more »
don,t watch the show since Christina was replaced.Hate the new co-host. Really lowered my opinion of Home and Family as to how they went about replacing Chistina. If she had her own show opposite it I would definitely watch her show instead. did you think we wouldn,t notice she was gone and wonder what happened?
You suck home and family
why did you think tall blonde girl is what everyone else wants to see !!!!!
I won’t watch the show. Christina gave the show authenticity – she was warm and endearing. The hosts now are so “Hollywood”…aka FAKE. Mark is an ass. Bossy as he was with Christina. I suspect they DID NOT get along. It seemed Mark wanted to take over even when Christina was on the show. Hate the show now. Hate it.
Will I continue to watch Home & Family? Why? As a mature woman, I find it very unsettling that Cristina was replaced by a much younger woman. Who do you think you are fooling? Cristina was very talented and engaging to her audience, and I am sorry to see her go. What’s more, I no longer watch Home & Family.
Do I watch the show now that Cristina Ferrare is no longer the co-host? Why? Although I’m sure the new co-host is doing an okay job, as a mature woman, I find it very unsettling that Cristina was replaced by a much younger woman. This reeks of age discrimination. I see no reason to participate as part of the television audience. Good bye.
Why on earth would Hallmark Channel fire Cristina Ferrare?! She’s one of the most talented co-hosts & she & Mark seemed to have a genuine rapport & friendship. Plus Cristina’s cooking & other special segments were excellent.
While Debbie was fine as a special guest, she is NOT co-host material…she acts like an immature adult. When she appeared as a guest, her outfits were terribly inappropriate-like an adult trying to dress like a teenager.
While her attire has improved, she & Mark’s rapport seems forced & t genuine.
Used to be a regular fan…but this move definitely lost me.
Debbie is finally dressing like she is not going to a cocktail party everyday! Still is constantly over talking guests where you can’t hear what’s being said, so rude and annoying! Rude with her touchy, grabby towards guests they are not her kid! Just no manners for her age.
I think they are trying to reign her in and mix it up with added co hosts. What they still don’t get is that they ruined the show when they fired Cristina. The whole program seems juvenile now. All these people are middle aged but they are trying to act like 20 somethings. Whoever messed this show up should be the one fired.
I have been watching H&F from the beginning; and while I still enjoy the show, I did prefer Cristina as the host. I feel that she often grounded the show, sometimes keeping the goings-on from getting out of control. Cristina, you were always so warm and gracious, you made me feel at home.
The show stinks since Christina is gone. I watched it a few times but couldn’t get into it. There is no true friendship between Mark and Debbie. If Hallmark fired Christina they did a horrible mistake. The show really stinks now!