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?
Thought Matt and Christina blended well. In the beginning thought they were married. What will Christina be doing now?
I really enjoyed Home & Family, when Cristina Ferrare was on it.Don’t enjoy
it anymore. Sorry, I don’t think Debbie makes a good co-host. Would like Cristina back asap.
I will not watch Home and Family show again because Christina MADE the show. She pulled the show out of the pits when the first co-host was so awful. Debbie is good in her segments but is not a good hostess. Christina brought dignity and maturity to the show. Mark is so boring with his stupid jokes and Debbie is just silly. She can’t keep her hands off Mark and it is degrading to herself. Again you’ve lost a lot of viewers. Don’t feel very good about Hallmark anything now!!!
I am very upset about Cristina being fired from Home and Family. I became a steadfast viewer of the show because of Cristina and what she brought to the show. Shame on Woody Fraser and Hallmark Channel! Tried watching the new show, but it doesn’t have what it had before with Cristina and Mark
at the helm. Awkward, slick, not very “Homey and Family”
Won’t be watching in the future
Wow! Unbelievable that Hallmark Channel would do this. So much for “family”. Christina was that show. They are always saying on the show they are a family. Well glad I’m not in that back stabbing family. I hope there is such a drop in viewers and such back lash that whoever made this decision gets fired! Love you Christina hope you get your own show that takes all their viewers!
I think Christina should come back on the show.It just isn’t the same without her!
Debbie is a great choice! She is a talented and witty host and while Christina was great, Debbie will be just as good. Change happens…
I agree with the below comments hallmark and family this is the way to treat family??? May I say they do not know the meaning of family !
Also so disappointed with the crew not fighting for family guess that was all not true not really family.
Cannot count on anything wit media and tv.
Glad I have my family that is real!
I commented days earlier, pretty much saying what everyone else has/is saying. I have a question: will the powers-that-be @ Hallmark get sent all of these comments….or, do they check this site to at least SEE what the thoughts & feelings of the viewing audience (as stated here) is? So anxious to know how they are reacting to all of our collective anger & disbelief. And, what was that crazy statement out of Mark’s mouth after it was, finally announced, that Cristina was “replaced”: he made an impassioned statement to Cristina (“if you’re watching”) that she is welcome back anytime… Read more »
Mark always makes these off the wall comments!
Some of the things that he has said over the past four years….?!?!?
Why do networks think they know what the audience wants. I love Christina and she made the show!!!!!
I hope the the network was not thinking age for if they were may I say not smart Christina is beautiful and she brought vitality warm fun love I could go on.
I will no be watching anymore !!!
I will also say they way you did it is typical of corporate thinking unfeeling and without thought of any intelligence.
I think that Cristina added style and grace to the show. Who knows what happened–maybe she wanted more money (like Regis). They both would deserve more money. In any event, I won’t blindly watch the show but selectively based on who the guests are and not likely watch the entire show because of the silly and useless segments. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the other cast wanders off.
this is very sad. She is the one I tuned into watch. Will not watch anymore since Christina is gone.
I like Debbie but she can’t replace Cristina. The chemistry is just not there. I had already stopped watching because I don’t enjoy all the “parlor” games they play. Probably won’t watch at all now that I know Cristina is gone.
I will sincerely miss Christina. I looked forward to the show every day.
It is not tha same dynamics without Christina.
I am still waiting for Cristina to return no bad feeling for Debbie but Cristina was like the lead cheerleader and I want to see her back. I loved her naturalness and ease and her genuine attitude toward all her fellow castmates and guests.