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 only started watching when Cristina began co-hosting. I watched faithfully and taped when I couldn’t. I never really liked Debbie’s sections. That’s when I went and made myself a cup of coffee. I could count on H&F to bring simple sweetness to the day especially a day where the news of the world was heavy. Cristina brought family to the show. She is a seasoned mom and a seasoned homemaker and keeper of the hearth, and it showed through her spirit. She is genuine and very classy. She made us all feel like we were really guests in her… Read more »
Very upset Cristina I’d not on show. It’s not the same at all. Very sad Cristina was not able to say goodbye on the show, I wouldn’t ever have thought she would b replaced I have watched the show for years even during the years with Chuck. Very sad.
That’s it for me. Love Christina. .will not watch. Debbie still needs more refinement. Ageism boo hallmark.
Well I am done watching, I get the feeling the network thought she was to old and thought they needed a younger face, shame on them. To be honest I want nothing to do with anyone who was involved with the View. I think this was a big mistake.
I thoroughly loved Cristina on the show. She is so natural and personable! I will no longer be watching the show. I do not like to see people hurt that way!
I am so sad that Cristina is gone. Debbie has never been a favorite of mine and I don’t think it’ll last. I’m no longer watching Home & Family.
They need to change the name of the show from Home & Family to Hire & Fire. We will not watch the show again. Anyone that was on the view, other than Elizabeth Hazelbeck, is not on my list of favored people. Christina was the HEART of the show.
I believe this is A huge mistake and will no longer watch the show
I loved the show and had been watching for about a year, even taped it. No more. Just read Christina will not be returning and neither will I. What is wrong with the network exec? They act like the wishes of the audience don’t matter. Frankly, I’m tired of it.
I’m very disappointed that Home and Family took Cristina off the show. As far as I’m concerned she made the show. I will no longer watch. Thank you Cristina for brightening my day,
Cristina really made the show what it was – it will not be the same without her and i’m sure i won’t be watching as much as i used to for the past years. i don’t care for Debbie as the co-host – it just doesn’t suit her – Christina was so caring and she and Mark really clicked. If she got fired – shame on Hallmark – I couldn’t even think of what she would be fired for. Christina was knowledgeable about everything and was great in crafts, cooking, interviewing guests and just everything!!! i hate to say it… Read more »
Won’t be watching anymore. I thought I finally found a show that reached all ages (and I watched the ‘older version’ of the show, too!). Guess families only have young blondes in them:(
I’m very disappointed in H & F’s bad decision. I agree with other fans in regards to their demographic considerations. I feel Christina best represented the “Family” in Home & Family. As for Debbie, I think she is a little too much into herself. Sorry H & F, you just lost another hard core fan.
Wow. I am totally surprised. Cristina brought a lot of class to the show. Obviously Hallmark is not looking at their demographic. Not everyone is a twenty-something wedding movie watcher. As stated elsewhere, nothing against Debbie, but the interaction between Debbie and Mark is not the same. Think your ratings will fall.
I no longer watch the show. Christinas presence helped to make Marks sarcasm bearable. Sincerity and kindness exited with Christina.
Shame on Woody. I thought that you and Christina where friends!!! I thought something was wrong when they where in Dollywood Christina was very quiet not her regular self. I agree with everyone if they think Debbie is the answer to what ever the problem is the show will not be on much longer. Good luck Woody!