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?
She was the heart of the show. More like a grandmother with her grandchildren. You will truly be missed and the show is not the same without you. I love you Mark, but you were better with Christina.
I wondered where Christina went. I have been checking most days to see if she is back. If she wasn’t on I usually changed stations. She made the show real and more like a home. I’m so sad. I like the other people on the show but now they don’t have their wonderful family member to look up to.
I miss Christina and I feel that the pace of the show was more to my liking when she was on.
Watched the show today was shocked to see Christina not there and Debbie was….wondering if it was an age related firing which is horrible if it was…she was wonderful and such a perfect lady she will be missed
I like Mark Steines but it is not the same without Christina I will no longer watch the show…sorry Mark
What is that saying, If it ain’t broke don’t fix it?? I’m afraid Hallmark will regret this decision. Home & Family was my favorite show on TV. I watched it every day, but I won’t be from now on.
I feel that Cristina was the heart of Home and Family. I will not be watching the show anymore. How Hallmark handled the situation was awful. Hallmark didn’t consider how the fans would react either.
Hime and Family is not the same without Christina Ferrare. She was the soul of the show and I will no longer be watching. You people can never leave a good thing alone. One more decent show down the drain!!! Is it the air in California? Why don’t you try to get in touch with the rest of the country? There is a sad, depressed air among those left on the show. Can’t see it, can you? WAKE UP!!!
I feel that the show has lost its heart and sincerity in getting rid of Christina
Since Christina is gone I no longer watch the show !!!!
Love Christina she is my favorite
I will no longer watch Hallmark Channel. I am sick and tired of those in charge pushing for the younger demographics/host/hostess!! Cristina is what brought me to the show and Cristina not being on the show & bringing in DM to cohost is why I left. By firing Cristina only proves that it is NOT a Home & Family environment because the FAMILY would have stood up and by her! They are out for themselves & what they can gain! Those are my feelings! I truly LOVED the show & scheduled my day around it when I could. Moving on… Read more »
I do not like Debbie. She is over powering and interrupts guests to the point I can no longer watch. When you have folks on to give us info, LET THEM TALK. When you talk over them, the viewer is the loser. Many times when Debbie is in the segment, I completely miss what is being said. And was this age related? Can’t help asking. I am trying to watch but more days than not now I have something else to do. Don’t need it anymore. Really sad as this was a part of my day. Debbie, Do your viewers… Read more »
So upset! I’ve been a fan for many years. So said to know she will no longer be there. My friends and family feel like we missing a family member!
It is very disappointing to see this change. Cristina brought class to the show. She was a polished host and held the show together. Hallmark should rethink their change if it isn’t too late. I look forward to seeing Cristina on tv in the near future!