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 watched the show because of christina so obviously no longer watch. just hope she is doing well and if she really does have cancer, that the treatments are working. she’s a strong lady and i hope all the best for her!!
She does have cancer and is in hospital now for treatment.
I hope you get better Cristina! The show is not the same without you! It seems so plastic now like a group of Barbie dolls and Mark. The chemistry between Mark and you was magical. Mark now seems snarky and a bit cocky. Not sure what happened to him since you left. Anyway, I have moved on. Just isn’t the same show. Not into Barbie’s Party House. Miss you Cristina!
Really miss Cristina. Debbie is cute, but does have the charismatic personality of Cristina. Not the same lovr and joy, so I just don’t watch anymore.
It just goes to show that there is NO loyalty to a ” GREAT ” Employee, no matter where they might work! I’m very sorry they were ALLOWED to treat you that way! Please be well soon. GOD BLESS!
Im very sad Cristina ia gone. I know its a year since this happened but i miss her whenever i see who is a guest on the show. Cristina is sick now with cancer. Today she begins stem cell repleacment therapy. in hospital 3 weeks. I hope and pray she survives and she does well during recovery. May she know the love that surrounds her. Prayers dor you sweet dear Cristina
I feel the same.
Don’t watch anymore. Not the same since Christina left. She made the show, had a warming personality and was down to earth. Good example of home and love.
She is now in hospital recieving stem cells for blood plasma cancer. Today is the day its being performed. Three weeks in hospital. Pray for her.
Miss Cristina–liked show better with her.
I have not watched since Christina left I feel that the show is not the same as it used to be very sad because I really didn’t joy the show
Have not watched since Cristina Ferrari left show and will not. Cristina made Home and Family. Thank you. Cristina for memories. God bless you!
Haven’t watched since Christina left. Should have replaced Mark instead. Too cocky.
Christina & Mark were the best…have not watched since the announcement.
I miss Christina …Show seems so fake now It’s the same thing every time I watch it …getting boring Laughter seems forced Needs a wake-up call
I agree with so many others that Hallmark was WRONG in replacing Christina. I always enjoyed watching Home & Family but have not nor will not watch anymore after the way the network went about replacing Christina. To me it was a total contridiction of what the entire show was based. I have no bad feelings for Debbie, in fact I think she is great and do not blame her for Hallmark’s poor decision.
No longer watch the show good luck Christina .
I no longer watch home and family–Christina was great–she was one of the reasons I watched every day–So sorry to see her go
I think Christina should have stayed on the show. Debbie is good too but preferred Christina to be host with Mark. Show has lost a bit of its greatnest.