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?
Will never watch H&F again. Don’t like the show after Cristina left. NOT THE SAME!!!
When Christina was fired I stopped watching H&F. Now I see they fired Mark because of the producers sexual harassment. They should rename the show to HOME AND DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY. They are obviously hypocrites. I hope the show crashes and burns as it should!!
Home and Family truly depicted its name…at one time. Since the callous firing of Cristina, I no longer watch and I do not patronize any of the sponsors, starting with Hallmark at the top of the list.
Since I am one of the many people who have not watched Home and Family since Christina was fired for being too old at 66, I had no idea what was happening on the show. So I was truly surprised to see an ad with Debbie gleefully announcing Cameron Matheson as her new cohost come on during a Hallmark movie I was watching. I had to check the internet for details and was surprised that Hallmark had basically treated Mark and the audience in the same callous manner once again. Although, since he is a man, age was not mentioned… Read more »
Since they let Cristina go, I have stopped watching. My favorite hosts were Cristina and Chuck. Loved the show way back then. Also especially on holidays when there families were also included.
I am so sad that Cristina Ferrare and Mark Steines was let go of Home and Family. They were the best hosts of the show and Hallmark Channel made the biggest mistake. Because of this I will never watch that show ever again
Christina beens gone quite a while now, & still the show hasn’t bounced back. Christina was relaxed & real, Debbie’s fine but just not my choice. I rarely watch the show anymore. As someone else said, I think the crafting part has gotten a little ridiculous and boring .
Christina Ferrara made the show with her laughter, humor, talent, her zest for living. She was aging so well we old folks enjoyed her fountain of youth exhuberance, and wanted to emulate her. Oh I shall miss her so. That was a mistake to let her go.
I agree hope heartedly…
I don’t understand home Home and family show can fire two of the best hosts? They were both great, genuine and I tere sting…very sad path H&F is taking..cut throat does not become you!
I don’t care to watch the show anymore. I always liked both Christina and Mark. Although, I may have heard this wrong. But, I understand Mark had knowledge of what was going on behind Christina’s back and never said a word to her. When he got married, he never invited her to his wedding.
I thought that Hallmark had sunk to a new low the way they got rid of Christina, however, they topped themselves when they dumped Mark. I’m sure they had their reasons, but both situations were poorly handled. I have not watched a full show since Christina’s departure, and while I don’t dislike Debbie M, I can’t watch 2 hours of her.
I’m sure that there is a specific reason as to why Cristina is no longer hosting Home & Family. It appears that Christina, as “graceful” as she is, has decided to remain true to herself, “graceful,” and not devuldge the reason. I loved watching you on the show! It’s definitely not the same, no insult intended. I may have watched the show, maybe five times since your departure. Take Cristina.
Love,
Theresa McNeal
Christine seemed to me to not be paying attention all the time. i considered she was ill. I watch the show daily and the clothes on Debbie are perfect and it is great to see a show that is always upbeat. we have too much gloom and doom on tv.
I don’t know what is happening, but it looks like there is serious trouble with this show. Since the firing of Mark, they had a whole slew of shows that were not new. They seemed to have done away with the “Always New” slogan. There are a revolving door of co-hosts. I think this show should be put out of its misery. They don’t have any fresh ideas left. The crafts are getting ridiculous, too many popsicle stick crafts and things you would see in an elementary school classroom. On any given day, it seems like they are trying to… Read more »
Well said!
Horse Hockey! She was replaced unfairly and I will never watch it again!! I loved her and she deserves much better treatment. I hope the show fails!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, I no longer watch because Christina is no longer on the show. I didn’t like what Debbie said that a guest was much better then Jennifer Lopez. No human being or race is better then any another. Also, I didn’t like when Debbie kept saying “are you calling me fat?” So, wrong of her if kids and teens with weight problems hear her always saying this! I can’t no longer watch. Bring Christina back!
I agree completely. I won’t be watching anymore. Christina is gone and the show is ailing! She clearly was the PROFESSIONAL on set in comparison to most of the others. If they don’t bring her back, the show is certainly DOOMED!