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 was so sad when this happened i watched it twice after but was not the same it has gotten so childish none of my friends or myself cant waste our time i wish they would bring you back you were the glue thank you for the past shows
So boring since Cristiba left. Not estching any more
I recently watched it because Susan Lucci was on for the week. They said she was hosting, but darn if Debbie wasn’t there through the whole thing. (Debbie was a little more subdued than usual. They must have told her to keep it down.) But the show was flat. Cristina was the magic and the magic is gone. I hope they fire the guy who had the big idea to get rid of Cristina, because he’s TV poison.
Pleas bring Cristina back! I’m done watching an was a loyal fan! Tuned all if our our tvs at work … no more. 🙁
Promptly stopped watching too.
I really miss Christine on the show. I missed the announcement . Kept wondering what was going on. Until tonight when I decided to Google it!!! The show is okay now but there was something special about how Christine made a person feel when they tuned in. Like she was talking to you directly even though we’re hundreds of miles apart. I really miss that feeling. I hope all works out for her in her new chapter in the Book of Life of Christine’s Adventures
I feel if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I don’t watch the show anymore because i felt chemistry between christine and mark and i just feel sad because i think they brought this young girl in to replace ladies that r for a different taste. I think they could have fired her more sophisticated. Won’t be watching the show.
I think Ms. Christina Ferrare was absolutely charming, engaging, and fabulous. She looks like she is only in her late forties and has a smile that would make my mornings no matter how bad a mood I was in. :0) I do like Ms. Debbie Matenopoulos is a great host, but wish the network would have done more of a smooth, amicable transition to pay credit where credit is due for both wonderful women. Many blessings to Christina and Debbie. Godbless.
I like Christina very much on the show. She made the show and now I don’t care if I watch it or not. She made the show more interesting not just laughing all the time
I was shocked! Not only because of the mystery surrounding Christina’s absence from the show but also by the manner in which her removal took place. Does this network think that a host can just be removed from a show and the audience will not notice…! Shame on Hallmark a Christian channel.
It doesn’t feel the same. Sorry to say it but somebody made the wrong choice. You know the old adage, “If it’s not broken – don’t fix it”
I will not watch the show again. I loved Cristina on there! She was the heart of the show!
I AM SO DISAPPOINTED THAT CRISTINA FERRARE IS NO LONGER I REALLY LIKE MARK AND DEBBIE IS OK WITH SEGMENTS, BUT AS CO HOST THERE SHE HAS NOT FILLED CRISTINA’S SHOES. I NO LONGER AM A
FA N OF THE SHOW. I KNOW OF 30 PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH WHO FEEL THE SAME WAY.
TOOO BAD.
Glad to finally know what really happened. Praise the Lord it wasn’t sickness! I was imagining all kinds of scenerios for your leaving. Even thought your religious beliefs and having prayer on air might have led to your leaving. If that’s the case, I know the Lord has your back and He will bless you in bigger and better ways! I had just got mire family members in other cities watching because I was so impressed and it uplifted me when you said grace on the Thanksgivi g show. You are loved by many, especially your Lord, and that’s more… Read more »
I am soooo disappointed in home n family. Cristina Ferrare MADE the show. Now I know she was let go for someone younger (and NOT nearly as good) I am no lone going to watch. I miss her….BRING HER BACK!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEEZD_7R3bw
Watch this video. It’s about all the wonderful women that Hallmarks has fired from the show.
The day they announced that Cristina was gone and that Debbie was taking her place, Debbie said “I’m so blessed to get this job!” They Mark said that Cristina could come back anytime she wanted to cook for them. I thought it was really, really tacky! Who says they are blessed to get a job their friend just lost? It really turned me off to H&F.
I miss Christina and I am very upset that she has been replaced. She made the show and it is not the same without her. So sad. I watched the show every day but no longer feel the same way about it. Hardly ever watch the show now. Bring her back.
I miss Christina as well, she was my favorite host