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 quit watching when you were no longer part of home and family. I am not a fan of Debbie what’s her name. I wish you all the love and lick in what you do. Hope your health is improving
Yes, please let us know. Thank you.
OK, I did a copy and paste, but you really should get on Facebook. It has some good things about it as well as bad, I guess. There’s a photo of Cristina, she looks so beautiful, but she’s lost all her hair to the cancer treatments. I removed all the last names of the posters on the Home & Family – A New Beginning!!! Deanne PS. Woody Fraser was FIRED by Hallmark (last month, I think)…and the sexual harassment lawsuit is 100% legit! I’ve spoken with a very reliable witness…he’ll probably try to settle out of court. The women have… Read more »
Jean can you please tell those of us who are not on Facebook what was said.
I Really enjoyed Cristina when she was host on home & family she was very warm person … I had no idea she was fire off the show … I though she was on vacation … Cristina was the title of the show .. she was Home & Family ..I miss her very Much
Check out the facebook page “Home & Family – a new beginning!!!” And look at the post about Kym and her son and read the posts. It looks like a reliable sorce has posted that they fired Woody (for sexual harassment) and that Debbie is going to go soon too.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214066327759055&set=gm.1596076363767109&type=3&theater
I haven’t watched the show since she left. She was the best and it’s not the same without on it.
I feel really badly for Christina. I loved her and cannot understand why she was fired. Looks like age discrimination to me. Christina always seemed so honest and real … Debbie tries but just doesn’t come off as a sincere person like Christina was — she just seems to less genuine, fake…
Can not watch anymore Mark is too into himself. Show off. Really miss Christine She added class to the show Debbie is trying her best, but Mark is an a_ _ all the time
Debbie is worse than Mark! She never shuts up. She is totally fake and Mark has went down hill since Debbie is co host. I guess he is trying to be heard over her loudness! Lol
Tried to watch again. But it still isn’t good. I feel the same as I did before when Cristina first left. Love Mark, Kim, Shirley, Ken and Page but Debbie keeps me from watching like I had been daily and recording when I couldn’t . It’s lost the family and friendly appeal.
I miss Christina! I try to watch Home and Family, but it truly is not enjoyable anymore. Even Mark does not seem the same. I’m sure Debbie is nice enough, but she and Mark do not have the same chemistry as Christina and Mark did. They were fun. It now seems like it’s either the Debbie show or the half Mark show. Anyway, I miss watching a fun show. So, goodbye Hallmark’s Home and Family.
I miss the homeliness that Christina brought to the show. I have watched the show a few times since she left and it still is lacking and therefore, not a show that interest me anymore. Wherever you are I wish you all the best Christina. I also think you would be great on your own show.
I love Home & Family. I miss Christina too. Debbie will NOT permit, especially, the guest chefs or any person who comes on the show to cook to be able to explain their dish without being interrupted. The other guests or host members also laugh and interject jokes during the cooking segments. I find this highly rude and insensitive to these chefs. I am unable to enjoy this portion of the show. I really look forward to Fabio. He was just on the show and finally when Debbie said he had to start cooking he remarked: “stop asking me questions.”… Read more »
It’s one of those deals where it was great before, it’s great now, and change is never “good” until til we get used to it. Christina Ferrare, you will be missed. Debbie, you will do a good job. I PREFER having Christina on WITH Debbie as a support because I was used to that, but loving on everyone. I hope Debbie can work in Christian ways like Christina did. Christina, you give God glory. Debbie, congrats.
My opinion, Debbie is not a good host. Talks over everyone. Way too fake and and over does every reaction. I just can’t watch her. Theres a reason why she has been fired or replaced on just about every show she has been on the last 20 years. I will never understand how she gets on these shows, must have connections. There are so many other woman that are way more intelligent and attractive, that would be a better fit for home and family.
I agree with you Anne. Debbie drives me crazy, she may not mean to but is just too fake! I can’t watch the show anymore
I miss Christina, too! I really enjoyed all the interviews, the cooking, crafts,etc. but now with Debbie I cannot stand to watch. I never have had such a negative feeling about anyone but she is so phony and irritating, I can’t imagine why they picked her. I agree with one of the others, she was OK in small doses. You lost another viewer and I miss watching the show.
I like Debbie but there was something so special about Christina. Really miss the spontaneous reaction she had to all things and her sincerety towards people. Truly a kind person and easily laughed at herself when she screwed up ! Miss her greatly..