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 agree with many of the comments below. Haven’t watched the show for more than a few minutes since Christina was forced to leave. What is wrong with a beautiful and mature woman as the host of this show?
So sorry the Christina was asked to leave the show. I believe she brought a real warmth and class to the show. I believe that Mark and Christina worked much better together. Debbie seems like a nice young woman but the fit between her and Mark just doesn’t click. I do on occasion watch the program but I watched a lot more with Christina.
I still miss Christina! I don’t watch the show anymore. It just doesn’t have that warm feeling Christina brought the show. She was the magic that made it special.
I work so could only watch episodically.
I felt she and Mark were so natural together. The current cohost always feels like a beginner and not a real friend to Mark
I miss Cristina! The show feels different now but not in a good way. It is lacking the warmth Cristina brought to it.
Please bring back the Home & Family to Home & Family !!!! =CRISTINA! !!!!!!
Please bring her back .I miss watching home and family .I don’t care for debbie at all. I can’t watch my favorite show any more .
I havent a will not watch anymore because the way that the replacement host is rude to the guests and she dresses like she is not on a family show.so answer your questions no i wont watch anymore and no i dont think that the new host is not good for the show.
I want to say that I am so disturbed by Debbie the new cohost on Home and Family. I am getting very irritated that the new attire for her is halter tops and dresses. This is a family show that had class and dignity when Christina Ferrarre was the cohost. Now it seems to have evolved into the “Debbie Show”. Please bring some class back to HOME AND FAMILY!! It’s such a good show and I just want to be refreshed and encouraged when I watch it. It is stressful and difficult with the way Debbie talks over the guests… Read more »
I too, no longer watch Home & Family since Christina left. Checked in briefly this morning & the first thing I saw was Debbie dressed in a scant halter top. Please bring back Debbie to make it a family show again.
I meant to say bring back Christina, (Not Debbie). I miss Christina, she brought such a halesome genuine feeling to such a wonderful family show.
Please bring back Cristina. I have missed her so much and have basically stopped watching. She just had a certain charm and grace that added so much to the show. She was more than likely just born with it. You either have it or you don’t. Cristina and Mark complimented one another. Whatever the reason for her departure, you need to bring her back “HOME.”
I have been trying to like Home & Family since Cristina was fired. I always liked Debbie as a guest but I don’t care for her as a co-host. Cristina added so much class to the segments. She was there for the show & viewers. Mark is even different now that Cristina is gone. I am sad to say that I will no longer be tuning into Home & Family. I have given it a fair chance but I am finished. Please bring back Cristina and I will become a fan again.
Christina brought brought the homely feel to the show because of her experience. I no longer watch the show with the new Co-Host DEBBIE who carries a lack of experience in the family dept. Nothing against her personally but she lacks period! It’s like watching another talk show.
Well said Kris. There is not a family feeling anymore now that Cristina is gone from the show.
We need family! Wish she could come back!
So sorry that Cristina is gone from the show. She brought class to the show.
I hope that she is well and happy.
I haven’t watched the show since she left. How dare you treat a wonderful lady that Way. She was the show. Debbie is an empty dress. Cristina gave Mark credibility. The show does not work. BRING back Cristina.
It is not the same, anymore. Christina made it feel like it was REALLY Home and Family. The few times I have tried to like it, I couldn’t make it through the entire show. Just another typical talk show now, and I won’t be watching.
It won’t be the same. Not a good change. Will miss Christina very much. What direction are they looking for? Backwards?