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?
What a shame that HOME % FAMILY replaced Christina Ferrare – she was perfect for the show. I will no longer be watching.
I stop watching the show since Christina left. Do not like Debbie she seems fake.
So sorry to see Christina gone. Big mistake home & family.
I watched every show but I stopped watching the show since Christina left. The chemistry isn’t the same without her. Her co-host looks scared to lose his job. There is an awkwardness now since they fired her.
I no longer watch the show since Christina left. Very wrong of Hallmark to do this.
I miss Christina. I watched her with Regis for years and then was so happy when I found her on Friends And Family. She makes me laugh and feel good about myself! What a bummer for me
This move by Hallmark was extremely unprofessional and hurtful. I do not relate to the new Home & Family show as I once did. I like Debbie but not constantly. I honestly choose not to watch this program any longer.
Debbie is like Halloween candy, a little of her goes a long way.
Steve should have been let go, he has no personality, and Christina
should be the host. Or cancel the whole show, and give Christina
a new one.
Steve should have been let go, he was a dead beat no personality.
Christina has class and is a caring person, people like her she should
be the host.
I also stopped watching the show. She really was like family.
Steve should have been let go, he was a dead beat no personality.
Christina has class and is a caring person, people like her she should
be the host.
You mean Mark, right?
Watched Home Made Simple on Sat.4/22, Christina was the guest chef, so good to see her.
Not gonna watch anymore cause IT ISN’T THE SAME ANYMORE!!! Christina has way more to offer than Debbie – chemistry with Mark was what entertained a good part of the show!! Why did you do it? BRING HER BACK!!!
I am really upset that Christina is not on the show anymore. You made a bad mistake.
I JUST FOUND OUT . SLOW I GUESS. THIS IS A MISSTAKE BIG TIME. HALLMARK YOU HAVE DONE A BAD INJUSTICE TO THE SHOW . SHE HAD MADE IT WHAT IT WAS NOT WHAT IT IS. MARK IS GOOD BUT NOT THE INTEGRETY OF THE SHOW. WAKE UP AND GET HER BACK. YOU HAVE LOST A VIEWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, but Home & Family isn’t as good. Not a fan of Mark & Debbie. Show isn’t something I want to waste my time on watching.
This show no longer has the same impact on me. You really need to bring back a mature element to this show if you want people to follow. Mark does a great job but the dynamic between Christina and Mark was incredible. If it wasn’t broke why did you think you needed to fix it?