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 no longer watch Home and Family because of what they did to Christine.
Hallmark you made a big mistake firing Cristina. The show has lost a great asset and I don’t even like watching it anymore. It used to be in my morning routine, but now it does nothing for me without Cristina. Seems to me there is a lot more going on behind the scenes. Normally most channels give the stars a chance to say goodbye. That was your second big mistake. I am sure you lost a lot of viewers. Too bad shame on you Hallmark!!!! Debbie is so immature and giggly she really turns me off!!!! Not all changes are… Read more »
I think it really stinks the way they did Christine. I love her and enjoyed the show. Sorry you felt she had to go…and very indecent of you not letting her say goodbye to her fans.
I’ve watched the show from time to time but it’s not the same. You all made a big mistake.
Stop watching the day you put Debbie on
Love Christine that’s why I watch not no more
I am not a fan of the new host of Home & Family. They shouldn’t have let Cristina go. I will not be watching the show
I liked cristina ferrare and watched the show. Its a shame. Not nuts about debbie .
Christina made the show come alive. Debbie is dull. It does not have the life it used to have. I seldom watch anymore. Also, does anyone do their homework when they make stupid statements? Recently you said it is illegal to pick up or posess wild bird feathers. Yes, but, this is only if they are migratory birds or eagles. Also , it is legal for the Native American to pocess the eager feathers for religious reasons.
Thanks to Debbie, I rarely watch Hallmark any longer. She never shuts up and let’s the guests talk and she is fake! She should have this renamed the All about Debbie Show.
I want only the best for you Cristina, you were a blessing to the show.
Mark, Debbie is ruining your style.
I don’t watch the show anymore. I don’t really care for the new cohost.
I used to tape it. I just had a couple of days off and went to watch and it is just a boring tv show. Christina was so refreshing. Daytime tv is so terrible. As a matter of fact, so is nighttime. Can’t they find anything else but games how family feud? It’s riduculous. I think everyone in tv land are young idiots on drugs and obsessed with themselves. Thank God for great authors. I just read
I recorded the shows too, so I could watch what I wanted, when I wanted. After Cristina was gone, it took me 5 minutes to watch the 2 hour show because every segment had Debbie in it and it was all about her and her dumb remarks. I didn’t dislike her till she took over the show, but a person can only take a little of her at a time. It’s like being about a hyperactive kid that’s demanding attention.
I used to love Hallmark Home and Family. Because Christina left the show, I no longer watch it. SAD, Debbie is too forced, not warm or classy like Christina was on the show. Bad call Hallmark.
I am so disappointed in Hallmark! I loved the feel of the show when Christina was on! I’m sorry but Debbie does NOT give that cozy warm family feel Christina had class and made you feel good about yourself! I have also not watched the show since Christina got let go. I tried watching but the show feels fake! I used to be a faithful watched!!!!
I miss Christina. She didn’t interrupt people talking like the new female host. I loved watching her. Miss seeing her.
All I see is stick people with long blonde hair that’s in their face even when they are cooking and swinging their heads around to get it out of their face, ugly!!! I do not enjoy Debbie, she thinks she is the only one with anything to say. Cristina gave class to the show, the show needs someone with maturity, all viewers are not teeny boppers. Those of us who are retired would enjoy a show that has hosts who really have something of value to say. Craft ideas and interesting guests are important.
Well stated!
I love everyone on the show Home & Family, it was like my family. I loved Cristina just as much. Wether she chose to leave or the Studio made the decision, she did her part and has moved on. Debbie M. which took Cristina’s place is filling in very good. I wish Cristina the best and well wishes for the entire staff the best in the world. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.
Should not mess with what works. I have not watch home and family since she was taken off. It is not the same.