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 will not and have not watched the show since Christina left. Letting her go or firing her was a wrong decision to make. I think it has to do with her age. But to me she appealed to all age groups. The new host to me is just over the top and too touchy feely towards Mark. I don’t like that. Maybe in time the network will realize what they did wrong but by then it will be too late to fix the problem and bring Christina back if i was her no matter what the network did i… Read more »
Please bring Christine back, she made the show so much better ! We don’t watch much anymore but tuned in to watch The Beach Boys today!
I miss Christina Ferrare very much. A very classy lady, greaceful, warm & sincere. Made show fun, interesting & enjoyable. I really looked forward to watching the show.
Extremely disappointed she is gone and it has affected me watching the show.
Unfortunately, her replacement lacks sincerity & warmth & tries too hard & seems to crave attention and appears phony.
Why was there not a proper send off of Christina?
I know longer watch the show and I’ve come to learn there is no loyalty coming from the top. Just because you’re in a position to treat people anyway you choose doesn’t mean you have to. Being a family show you SHOULD do better by those who invest their time and energy in making you look good.
Christine gave the show balance.
I really miss Cristina. NOT bringing her back for a formal goodbye was rude and disrespectful!!
I use to watch all the time — I no longer due. No disrespect to Debbie
Best of luck Christina your missed and loved!!
I feel Christina was doing a wonderful job. I also feel her leaving probably had to do with her age. Wish you would of got rid of the arrogant Mark who thinks he’s Mr hot shot.
! And then to bring in the high strung big mouth Debbie made things even worse. Big mistake!
I used to love this show and I have not watched ONCE since Christina was replaced. It is a shame too, but, honestly, Christina MADE that show and it is horrible without her. Worst casting decision ever made….can’t stand Debbie whatever her last name is…..
Show stinks without Christine, she was the heart of the show! Mark is too shallow and his new co-host is useless to everyone but him! I’m sure there is more to the story! Don’t watch anymore.
You can’t even leave a message anymore?? Ughhhhh
I loved the show with Christine. I have continued to watch but find that as time has passed, I watch less and less. It used to be a staple but now, not so much. The grace and warmth of the show is no longer the same. There is a bit of a “walking on eggshells” feel to the show now.
It’s sad how this industry and I guess all industries can just throw someone away. Wow – just wow. Home & Family hmmm, may need to change the name to : Home & Family Today (members could change on a whim)
Still missing Cristina! !!
We all miss her. I miss a lot of the other people on the show too. Tanya Memme, Paige Hemmis, Ken Wingard, Shirley Babshaw, Orlie and others, but not enough to ever watch the show again, unless Cristina comes back.
I’m not walking watching the show anymore since I found out that she was fired I think she was great for the show I also stopped watching some things on Hallmark just because the different feelings I get from some of the shows it is a great Channel though family and most of the Christmas shows
I like the show with Christina and watched faithfully. I don’t like Debbie and will no longer watch the show. If somethings not broke don’t try & fix it.
I absolutely loved Cristina and she was an amazing co-host. She is one of the reasons I watched the Home & Family. Debbie can’t hold a candle to her and I will no longer be watching. Debbie is not a good fit and there is no longer the great dynamic and chemistry that Mark and Cristina had. Very sad day Hallmark channel.