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?
Okay – it’s been a couple of years since Cristina left. I’ve watched this show forever and always loved it. It isn’t only the way Cristina was fired, but the way my other favorite people just disappeared without a word. My husband thinks it has to do with Woody. I’m just totally disappointed. Debbie – well, she can be very funny and she’s good at helping the show to flow. But, too many tears and a fakey laugh. We notice these things HandF, clean up your act. I will continue to watch – love the others on the program, but… Read more »
I couldn’t stomach the show after Cristina left. I tried to watch it, but I realized I couldn’t stand Debbie or Mark.
Yes I will miss Christina Ferrare too!!! I do not care for the new host Debbie. She is just a copy of all the other smiley fake host on other shows. I liked finally seeing an beautiful older woman host a show. Christina was perfect. Great personality and funny. But she seemed true not fake. The two hosts worked perfect together. I don’t like the show anymore. And will not tune in for other shows until you change that Debbie!!!!
This is from last year and was posted on the facebook page: Cristina Ferrare Fans: More bad press for Woody Fraser, executive producer of Home & Family. He’s being sued for sexual harassment. Read all about it! As you’ll recall, he’s been named in lawsuits in the past, most recently for age discrimination of a former H&F director. And of course he was at the center of the infamous dismissal of our beloved Cristina Ferrare from the show last year.
I always wondered what happened to Christina. I absolutely LOVED her on the show! I am not going to bash Debbie, b/c she’s not horrible…HOWEVER…she’s not great either. As others I see have stated, she’s way too over the top, to the point that it sometimes is just annoying more than anything. Christina was always very genuine, real, and warm. She was the type of person that belonged on a show about “Home & Family”. The show most definitely lost something when she was replaced…and from what I can tell also lost a lot of viewers as well.
I think it was a huge mistake replacing Christina Ferrari
And the way you did it was very mean. I no longer watch the show and so many of my friends feel the same. This
Show will be off the air soon.
Cherie Eichhorn
I’m so sorry Cristina Ferraro is no longer on the Hallmark series. It just isn’t the same. I know longer watch the series. Cristina made you feel right at home with humor, cantor and her down home charm. Debbie doesn’t bring the same spark.
Christina Ferrera was Home and Family. The show is nothing without her. I’m not watching anymore. Tried it once. Got nothing out of it. Waste of time.
I really miss Cristina. She was the best. I liked to see her and Mark working together. They complemented each other.
I was on vacation and came back to watch the show when I got home I noticed that she was not there no more and couldn’t understand where she had went no one had told me that she had left and I kind of knew that she was was Ill on the show I noticed that she was getting sick anyway I love this show I’ve been watching it for years I hope you find a good home for him a good partner for him to enjoy the show together I’m glad that she’s close turned it down on her… Read more »
I think the male co-host should be replaced – he is so annoying. I watch but turn the sound off when he speaks. Do continue to watch
I will not continue to watch the show. I think it was disgraceful to fire her from a show she made what it is. Younger does not mean better.
Wrong choice. Christina was “ classy “. Do not like how Debbie acts and reacts.
I was so sorry to hear Cristina is gone from the show. She was why I watched it. Sadly, I have stopped watching. Good luck Cristina and hope you go on to something new very soon! Blessings
I thought/think the show had/has a lot to be desired. Silly! I only tuned in to see Christine. And then stopped watching.
Loved the Great Big Bowl of Love show. I hardly started watching it and it was off the air……
Christina was the only reason I watched the show. Her laughter was contagious and she made me feel like I was a part of the family. BIG MISTAKE Home and Family!