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?
Stupid decision…the people that watch this show are older and at home to watch the show…we grew up with Cristina from the day she was a model…she is genuine warm and real whereas the other one replacement is fake and not real…I’ve stopped watching the show as have my friends.
I can say I gave Debbie a chance although I was very disappointed when Christina left. Each day it gets harder and harder to watch Debbie with her
mightier than thou attitude. She just doesn’t fit in with the rest of the cast as she overacts and just doesn’t give off that homey feel. Bring Christina back!!!!
Debbie is so fake. She always has to be the center of attention. I know she’s proud of her Greek heritage but she overdoes it. And when they play games – I know she’s competitive but that borders on being a sore loser.
I haven’t watched the show since Home and Family replaced Christina. Not a good choice for co host.
Like so many sorry shows apparently Home and Family think bringing younger people will increase viewership, so very wrong you are. My money is your viewership has gone down. SO DESERVED. we have stopped watching your station.
Please, please, please, bring Christina back, Debbie is tooooooo loud if you know what I mean,
with Christina show had a character, now it’s like I would hear only loud Debbie, please ask Christina to come back. I gave myself a few month to get use to new “show” but I can’t watch it with Loud Debbie
Sometimes it shows that Mark would rather have somebody else next to him.
Have nothing against Debbie, nice girl, but not at this place
I am the minority looks like. I was getting bored with Cristina, never can do wrong. Age wasn’t the issue.
I do miss her but not her overwhelming Mark.
We all have our own opinions.
Give Debbie some time.
Maybe I will start watching again.
Yes it was age! Also Mark didn’t want Christina because she was the star. And yes, you are in the minority.
Yes I guess you are in the minority.
Have not watched it since Christine left
The main reason I watched the show was because I loved Christina so much! I haven’t been able to watch in a very long time and when I turned it on I couldn’t believe she was gone! So now I won’t be watching the show at all!
I haven’t watched since Cristina !!! I miss her!!! I always check here maybe shes back but no 🙁
The name of the show is “Home & Family” and that is what it was. The network has the right to change their format, but they should change their name to reflect what they are selling now. It’s a shame because I am one of the millions who pay more to watch Hallmark – expecting quality.
Molly
I just loved Christina. She was so down to earth and real. Debbie is way too animated. And the face she didn’t even know that Governor Cuomo’s wife had breast cancer surgery with serious complications was embarrasing. It had been all over the news. Please bring Christina back. I really enjoyed their converstions.
It’s a shame that Christina got the short end of the stick she was a wonderful co-host and made the show more exciting. Debbie is not a good chose for this position I personally have no interest in watching the show now. Debbie served the show better in the position she previously had.
I do not prefer the new co-host. She seems to talk over Mark. Christina just seemed more of a fit. Change is not always good.
Everyone is replacable. I do miss Cristina she contributed alot to the show. She was funnier and very much more fashionable. She seemed down to earth type of person. The show seemed more like family at home. Miss you Cristina, their loss.
I agree with you on that. I do like Debbie but not in this role. I tried to watch the show for as long as I could, but I just don’t like Debbie in the lead , I just don’t enjoy her in this position.. Stopped watching the show but still like the movies…. Well Hallmark, it’s your loss!!!!!
I didn’t really dislike Debbie until she took over the lead as well. She’s OK as a Character, but not as a lead. She’s too much to take full time. Like too much Jerry Lewis or Jim Carey.
I think it really stinks they fired Cristina. She was much more fashionable and class. Dont like the show now
Fired her because they wanted someone younger f these stations