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 am truly disappointed that Hallmark made this decision to replace Cristina. She is the “mother” of this “Home and Family” and you simply cannot take out the maternal foundation of this successful show without a catastrophic change in the purpose of this show and it certainly will reflect a change in who the audience will become. I for one am not interested in watching any longer! I am greatly upset how this change took place!!
I left a short comment yesterday and not one word was inappropriate , that said, I want to know why it was not posted!!
You left a comment on Sunday and it is here: http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/home-family-cristina-ferrare-leave-hallmark-series/comment-page-27/#comment-2412468
Won’t be watching any more. Sorry, but Debbie just doesn’t have the warmth factor.
Home and Family? Family sticks together….. Cristina was the main attraction and she and Mark were so good together. Too bad, the show is loosing so many viewers. Bring Cristina back.
I miss Cristina!!! She and Mark were the yin and yang of the show. Her sweet smile and presence is truly missed!!!!!!! Why was this done??!! I was worried that there were health problems. Thankfully, not so. Yes, I am an older audience member and many of the show’s segments do not interest me. Cristina was the link between generations. Yes, I like Debbie but Cristina was and is the glue of this show. Big mistake!!!! Don’t even wish to watch now. Heart of show gone.
Update: I left a comment several days ago about how disappointed I was in Hallmark. I have, since, tried a couple of days to watch the show. How could you do this? Debbie looks like a robot and Mark just looks lost and sad. Aren’t you people supposed to be professionals? How did you miss this one so bad?.
I thought maybe Christina was on vacation. Christina is the reason I watched Home & Family loved her cooking segments and everything she brought to the show. I think Hallmark channel will regret this decision. I will no longer be watching H&F
Christina belongs as the co-host and I will no like the show as much without her. Nothing against Debbie but Christina belongs as the co host and this isa bad decision
Not at all the same without Cristina. Debbie is okay, but – Cristina just had that “co-host” snap! I’ve heard rumors that she and Mark were not getting along, but I cannot imagine that…he’s a great guy and she was terrific. Bring her back. I won’t be watching (at least not every day)…it’s just a “DIY” and a “whatever” show (to me) now. Boo.
I won’t be watching anymore. Cristina was the glue that help the show together and kept it grounded. I also miss the banter between Mark and her.
I am terribly sorry that Christina is no longer with the show I truly truly enjoyed watching her and I’m not sure I will bother to watch the show anymore I liked Debbie but only in the position she was in so I will check in occasionally and right now I doubt I will watch it. I I’m not sure if I like the direction this show is going. Today I watched Mark Steines say something very cruel to another cast member I know he thinks some of this is cute but it was very hateful
You people are dillusional to think you even have a show without Cristina. Give me a break.
I am so sorry that Christina has been asked to leave the show. I try to watch everyday or tape it to watch later. I have wondered for the last several weeks where she was. Hallmark you didn’t handle her departure wisely, she deserved a proper and respectful send off. She was an amazing co-host and her contribution to the show was exceptional. Christina, your fans love you and you will be greatly missed. As for Debbie, she is a beautiful upbeat lady that hopefully will take time to reflect on all the critical comments in this post and use… Read more »
She always came off as “loving” her job on the show. Seems unnecessary to replace someone for no good reason. Assuming Cristina did NOT want to leave, I think it is a huge mistake. Hope she wasn’t replaced because of age, weight or something like that. I am in my 50’s and personally appreciated that she was closer to my look etc…
For some reason I wasn’t interested in the show for the past several weeks…now I am thinking maybe this is why.
Boring without Cristina now! I have deleted H&F from my daily routine. Cristina gave viewers more of a personal touch. Now it’s just another dull talk show! I’m going back to Kathy Lee & Hoda! Oh by the way, dumb decision makers, Kathy Lee is Cristina’s age too! And that morning show is tons more successful than H&F!!!