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?
It is not Home and Family without Christina! I am very disappointed. I do not like the way Hallmark Channel is heading. So much for traditions and respect.
Cristina is the foundation of Home and Family. Saddened that they replaced the heart and soul of the show. I can no longer watch the show.
I am sorry to see Cristina leave the show. She was lovely and quite gracious. Frankly, I find Debbie to be quite contrived and annoying!
I Miss Christina very much and she was the reason i watched.Huge mistake Hallmark for getting rid of her.You have lost me as a viewer
Cristina Ferrare was the foundation of Home and Family. Saddened that she has been replaced because she was the heart and soul of that show. After being a faithful, long time viewer, I am no longer watching the show.
I am so very disappointed in Home And Family in the firing of Christina. I am around her age and started watching it when I was in disability because I really liked Christina. Mark is ok but needs someone to carry him. Debbie…. Is too overpowering for me. She never lets anyone finish a sentence. In my opinion she is spastic. I also have my DVR set to record everyday and watch it at night. I’m not sure now. So far it is not looking good. I give it a thumbs down now. Christina is great. She has patience and… Read more »
Have tried to watch but do not understand why Debbie is the better host. Just does not make sense. Not a happy follower.
I’m the same age as the new host, so after about a week it was clear Christina faced what women on tv face all too often. The show wants younger & more “attractive”. I fought liking the show and it’s a really good show and it’s sad to see that wisdom and experience doesn’t beat out youth! Yet Mark can stay until he’s 80 like a Regis and it’s acceptable. It sucks but it’s a reality as women we face as we age. Jobs want younger, men want younger but I’m still all for aging gracefully & with dignity. The… Read more »
Should have gotten rid of Mark. I do not find him to be funny at all and his treatment of Kym Douglas is appalling. Cristina was the more down to earth host. She is the reason I watched….guess I’m done with this show,
Cristina made that show a class act and added a warmth that is no longer there. No I won’t watch I’ve tried it’s just not Home And Famiky anymore iit feel so faked. Cristina was the heart of the home!!!!!
It is absolutely outrageous for the Home & Family show & Hallmark Channel USA to remove the “Heart” & “Soul” of the so-called “Family”. Cristina Ferrare is the one who started it all in the late 90’s on the Family Channel original version, then she was asked back to “rescue” Mark Steines in the revived version when it hit a “roadblock” and now they think its appropriate to unceremoniously dump her?!! Cristina Ferrare is a timeless Renaissance woman with fans from 25 to 85, and an EPIC example for women of all ages, with talents & qualities that keep her… Read more »
I was very disappointed to hear that Cristina was let go from H&F. esp the stories they said, like she was on a much deserved vacation and having a cocktail on the beach which werent true. Cristina was a very gracious host and thats a loss to all her viewers and H&F. They made a big mistake!
Why did you fire Christiana????.I Will no longer watch the show.!!!!!
will not be watching anymore
She was the life of the show, so I’m firing myself from watching home and family.
I do hope she gets another show!