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 agree with Susan and others … Bring back Christina … I like everybody on the show but Debbie … She doesn’t fix in with the others … Debbie always have to be the center of everything and have the last word … Christina I looked up to ..I too will stop watching the show …
Debbie always has to be touching all the men, she is a phoney
I am so upset! No offense to Debbie but Christina had such a chemistry with Mark. I kept watching waiting for Christina to come back and just didn’t want to watch anymore. I don’t think I will watch anymore. How low for them to replace her when she is do talented! Women are always replaced for age but Christina was timeless!
Very disappointed in management decision. The show now feels forced and does not have the same dynamics. Too many changes. The DIY jingle ridiculous, juvenile. Christina brought so much, her grace, talents and warmth missed. I no longer am a viewer after this. Sending a poor message to your viewers. I enjoy Debbie’s contributions by not host material. Too much. I loved H & F, recorded it everyday. Sorry to say good bye. There was nothing broken, no need to fix. Grave error. Thank you.
Yes, Cristina truly was the heart of the H&F show! She Is charming, classy and so sincere. She always brought a smile to my face. Debbie was great in her former role but not so much as a cohost. Cristina is deserving of a huge send-off with friends, family, staff, balloons, streamers and cake and so sorry she didn’t get that. Cristina, you are amazing and we love and appreciate you!!
Very sad and shocked that Cristina is no longer on Home & Family. Will miss her and can’t figure out why Hallmark and/or W. Frazer let her go. I love all the cast members but feel hurt and sad that Cristina won’t be there to brighten my day. Glad to hear she’s not sick. Love you Cristina.
There is a reason Debbie has floated from show to show, she is horrible! Hallmark Channel should be ashamed of how they let Christina go. Not a hallmark moment..Do you have a card for this?? I will not be watching as it has left a sour taste. Christina always takes a high road and I hope she comes back to TV.
I am sorry to see Christina leave, it’s just sad that the reason they let her go was her age. What dose that say for women our age that we can get a job because of our age. Debbie will be good as long as she doesn’t over talk everyone. And cry every time she talks about her child.
I was shocked to learn that Christina was replaced by Debbie! Debbie is “cute ” and rather immature…even annoying but had her place as a style segment contributor. By contrast, Christina was polished, gracious, and made Mark Steines look good. Bring back Christina and you won’t need to cancel “Home & Family”!
I fully agree.
As far as I’m concerned they have made many weird changes lately! But the biggest mistake ever was letting Christina go! Maybe you should look at letting the person or persons go who came up with that stupid decision! Christina was #1 in that show! I will not be watching “Home” any longer because they just took the “Family” out if it! Really upsets me! The people who decided that should all GO!
Why did you leave the show. I stopped watching it cause you left
I have watched your show since the beginning and sadly I have to stop. I think the reason Cristina was so loved is that she exuded such warmth and compassion to everyone, and it was sincere. Cristina allowed us to see her human flaws which made us all relate so well to her. In my opinion, Mark comes across very conceited and just likes seeing himself on camera. (Sorry, just my perception. I’m sure he’s a nice guy). Cristina was able to balance his lack of sincerity. Maybe Mark should leave and Cristina should return, unless he was able to… Read more »
Wow what a big mistake hallmark channel. I loved Christina and will no longer watch your show because of how you treated Christina. Debbie is annoying and can’t hold a candle to Christina. That’s not how family treats their family members. So disappointed in what the show has done. People in Christina’s age group like me support her. Bring her back!!
This is very sad news. I love Cristina, without her the show will not be the same. I will no longer be watching/recording this show.
I am truly stunned and very disappointed for Home and Family decision to replace Cristina. I enjoyed Debbie in the venue she added to H&F but Cristina and Mark were a great balance as hosts. It was that chemistry that I enjoyed watching.
I loved Christina on the show and found her to be genuine and loved watching her. She was funny and was always smiling. A kind spirited woman.
No longer watching H & F!! I loved it too but my draw was Cristina.
I wont watch the show with Christina gone. Hallmark made a huge mistake. Christina was the reason I watched. Cristina had a natural, innate, genuine kindness, a strong inner light that I could see in her eyes. Cristina was truly interested in other people. I looked forward to Home & Family every day, because Cristina’s spirit actually had a positive effect on me. I could feel Cristina’s inner peace through the tv screen, 🙂 and it was calming. Debbie has the opposite effect. I almost feel exhausted and agitated after watching her. Debbie’s actions always seem so forced, fake, disingenuous.… Read more »
Hallmark made a huge mistake. Christina was the reason I watched. Cristina had a natural, innate, genuine kindness, a strong inner light that I could see in her eyes. Cristina was truly interested in other people. I looked forward to Home & Family every day, because Cristina’s spirit actually had a positive effect on me. I could feel Cristina’s inne4r peace through the tv screen, 🙂 and it was calming. Debbie has the opposite effect. I almost feel exhausted and agitated after watching her. Debbie’s actions always seem so forced, fake, disingenuous. Whether true or not, she seems disinterested in… Read more »