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?
Hallmark made a bad mistake.
christina was the reason I watched.
I feel the same way!!!
Christina made the show!! I have not enjoyed watching since she has been gone. I will not be watching any longer. Very sad!
Christina made the show!! I haven’t enjoyed the show since she has been gone. I will no longer be watching.
Christina is very classy. While Debbie may grow into the part she has a long way to go.
Cristina is the reason I watched H&F, so I am no longer interested in watching. It is Mark that I’ve been wondering for so long why he hasn’t been replaced. Has Hallmark not noticed how he always so rudely interrupts and talks over everyone just to say some stupid, totally meaningless comment just to hear himself talk (Kathie Lee Gifford does the exact thing on Today), and he always makes degrading, disrespectful comments to the women, especially Kim Douglas, whom I love, so I don’t appreciate his attempt at “kidding”. Did his mother not teach him manners? I find him… Read more »
I am so sorry to see Cristina go. I can’t believe that this is permanent. It certainly is not “for good”!! She made the show. Thanks a lot Hallmark…we didn’t even get to say goodbye !! You owe Cristina so much more than that! All though Debbie is easy to like….this is not a good fit!! Debbie has plenty of jobs to keep her busy and in the public eye! Hallmark….probably doesn’t matter much to you but I will no longer be watching ! Big Big Mistake
I WILL NOT WATCH!…Debbie makes ugly faces look constantly at herself in the monitors and has little to no personality… as for “The Style Expert” she looks like a pencil in a skirt…can’t cook a great meal’s like Cristina…GET DEBBIE OFF….No longer a faithful viewer….
Christiana was the heart of that show! It was her that made it good. Mark Steine is the one they should have fired. He is such a drama queen, and tries to make everything about himself. Could never stand him. They should have replaced him, not Christina. Will NOT watch the show anymore.
I will not watch the show get debbie out and Kim also shannon the show will not last christina get your own show.
Disappointed to turn on Home and Family and not see Cristina. Her and Mark together were like “Family”, which is what the show is mostly about. Just not even close to being as good.. It was for her and Mark that most people watched this show. Big, big mistake. Someone needs to rethink this–ASAP!!!!!
Just read ALL the comments and I totally agree. BIG mistake for Home and Family. I too have stopped watching!!!!
Sorry to see Cristina off the show! She bought insight into home, cooking and family, she was an asset to the show. A great lose to the network and another show lost.
Cristina is what drew me in. I’m not excited about this show anymore. I probably won’t be watching anymore.
I have been observing Debbie on the Show for a while now. She has become annoying in wanting to overly dominate the show, much like Kathy Gifford did. I saw it coming. Her style wears out wears quickly. Christina had an array of interesting reactions and could vary her tone and expression in a happy, beautiful, joyful way.I never got tired of her. This one is just always screaming and annoying and the program seems thoughtless and meaningless.
Cristina was the reason I watched Home & Family. Such a mistake letting her go. Can’t believe Woody did that.