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’m so so so disappointed to hear Cristina was let go! Not sure that I will continue watching Home and Family. Cristina if you are reading this Thank you for the wonderful job you did hosting the show. I so appreciate the love you have for family and friends and showing the love of The Lord in all you do!
Christina WAS the show. Nobody can replace her ever. Very bad decision. I think you will lose a major part of your followers.
Although I like Debbie, I think Christina is “Home and Family” as Elizabeth says. I think this change will hurt your older audience base. My husband has enjoyed watching H&F with me, but he says not any more since Christina is gone. I also agree the chemistry between Mark & Christina is so genuine and joyful to watch. It makes the show flow so seamlessly. Debbie seems more “commercial” than Christina.
They should have kept Cristina Ferrare she was very good at her job. I’m sorry but Debbie just doesn’t have it Cristina was the show.you guys don’t know when you have it right and so good.Debbie is to take Cristina is the real thing.I won’t watch the show anymore since Cristina is not there anymore.You made a big mistake.lettinf her go.
How rude not to give her farewell show. It is obvious you just want a younger any prettier face…… But no chemistry with Mark. I quit watching
Christina was a big part of why I watched H & F. I would DVR and couldn’t wait to get home and watch! I tried watching Debbie, but just not the same. I will no longer be watching, therefore, I will also miss Kym and Dr. J.J….
I have been a loyal fan of “Home and Family” since it started. Christina is “Home and Family”.
She is irreplaceable. I am truly disappointed in this shocking news and will not be watching
anymore.
No offense to Debbie, but it is not the same without Christina. The chemistry between Christina and Mark was perfect.
Loved you on the show! You definitely added class to this show.
Debbie’s isn’t up to par. With Christina gone, the show lost it’s class and warmth. I will not be watching .
Shame on Hallmark no RESPECT in the work place. Cristina was the mother of Home & Family show please bring her back…. No more watching any thing on Hallmark channel for us.
I watched the original Home and Family and I loved Christina then and now. She is the perfect host ,sweet , charming and welcoming to everyone which really balanced out Marks need for everything to be about him.
Well, I stopped watching about 2 weeks ago – 1 week and I had my fill of the “new”. It’s like chaos now. Looks like Home and Family is trying for a much younger demographic and the over 40’s don’t matter – – – all young with young kids now. You would think they would want to keep the older viewers since they are the ones still paying for cable tv. Big mistake.
I just want you to know that I’m in my early 30s and I love Christina. I love seeing women of all ages on the show. I don’t just want to see women my own age. I want to see women my Mom’s age, grandmother’s age..all types of women. I have nothing against Debbie but Christina was the heart of the show.
I agree, I feel like the whole show if now focused on babies and young families, and at the age of 32 with a 4 and 2 yr old, I feel like I’m in that category, but I get that information from a lot of other cooler more trendy places. I came here for the substance and comradery, because with Christina, H&F had always felt more like my Grandma’s house where parents and aunts and uncles brought the cousins and we eagerly listened to learn classic information. Cristina felt like a sweet mother figure and with a warm smile, caring… Read more »
It’s too bad they let Christina go. I am sure that most of the viewers were probably baby boomers like me. I think the Hallmark Channel and Home and family made a huge mistake. I am sure they offended many viewers. Christina was the whole package, brains beauty and funny. Won’t be watching anymore. Maybe there’s something bigger and better for her.
I am so disappointed that Cristina will not be returning to Home & Family. I watched the original show back in the 90’s and was thrilled when I found the show on again and on the Hallmark channel. Starting watching it in Dec. 2011 when I saw it advertised while I was watching Hallmark Christmas shows. It’s been on my DVR ever since. It was my treat, tried to watch daily but sometimes had to binge watch 2-3 shows to catch up. Have always loved Cristina. She has been a class act always. Loved seeing her outfits, her cooking segments… Read more »