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 enjoyed H & F but now it seems too loud and scattered. I miss the class Christina Far rare she brought to the show. I no longer watch because it is so jumpy and unorganized
Agism? Debbie is 41. The show is evolving. I loved Cristina but Debbie is also just as sincere and sweet. People calling her obnoxious & an attention hog need to take a look at themselves in the mirror. Petty name calling is a reflection of yourself. Take care & God bless to both Cristina & Debbie. I’m a 45 stay at home mom & I will continue to watch this fun/information show.
I don’t think Debbie will ever be the Class act that Cristina was.What happenned to Woody did he not have a voice in this change.It seems that there really is no sense of “Family”.in the show at all..I don’t understand why a “family” would no allow us to say goodbye to Christina..It seems so phony.
Since there is a 25 year age difference between the two women, I’d say this is a pretty clear case of ageism. I agree that change can be a good thing when it is handled properly but lying to the viewers for almost three weeks was not the right way to announce a new cohost. Regular viewers have had quite a while to get to know Debbie through the years and have a right to their opinion of her whether it be positive or negative. She is on television and likeability is a huge factor on whether she will remain… Read more »
Yours is best point of view I have read thus far. Not disregarding all that others have written… But, this is “spot-on” EgNqI
I am so disappointed in the choice Hallmark made to replace Chiristina as a host, she is one of the main reasons I watched and enjoyed the show. Debbie does not have the same class and warm approach that Christine does. Shame on you for handling this change in such a disrespectful way. I will no longer be watching your show.
I’m disappointed, Christina style I loved, her, being mature her warm I just enjoyed her presentations better disappointed just not see her on it took me a couple of weeks to Google and find out I thought maybe it was just a week vacation or something to me she’s a better fit for Mark
Dang! Seriously! I wondered what happened to Christina…at first I thought she was on vacation and then as the week’s went on, I started getting concerned and upset and then to find out this…. Unbelievable!! I understand that you all are “buddies” and “family” but come on….your viewers see things a little definitely! I just can’t watch this show anymore. Christina gave this program class! Without her you have no class! Christina is a genuine lady! She is just an “Angel” Christina made the show!! Who thought of such non sense! That person or persons should rethink this. Debbie just… Read more »
Good for you girl.
Ooops Not the same
I am so sorry to see christina go. I love mark so will watch once in awhile. But the same at all. :* sad for the choices
Let me first say that I love you Christina and so many of us do that watched you and we will miss you so much!!! I am a younger person (22) and I loved watching home and family BC of Christina and mark as a team. Christina seemed so motherly and just a genuinely lovely lady. I am not surprised by Debbie taking her place, only BC I started noticing that Debbie was getting a lot more time in front of the camera and seemed to wanna run the show. The girl is all about herself and its pathetic. How… Read more »
I am very disappointed that Christina was replaced.
She is a wonderful person and I looked up to her because she is around my age
we have things in common. I will not watch home and family as much as I use to. the
I am very disappointed with the fact, that Cristina is no longer with the show. She added the special something that show needs!!!!!! I am an older person and if this decision had anything to do with it(age), guess what ; what goes around comes around. The show isn’t the same. YOU deleted what YOU needed to be successful. Expertise!!!!!!!!!!!!! Young people don’t have that special quality that comes from age ol’ experience!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing against Debbie, she is giving it, what she has but it’s different. Remember most tv watchers are older!!!!!!!THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Christina Ferrara, I feel that I was so blessed to meet you on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. My husband and I had tickets to the Home and Family show. The show aired May, 25, 2016. I had no idea you would not be on the show for the 5th season. Home and Family has a good show and they seat the older persons attending the show on the back row so they only show the younger people. My husband pointed this out to me as soon as we were seated that day. I like Debbie but she talks too… Read more »
I’m so disappointed in Home & Family! Christina
Made the show warm & inviting, gave the show a true family feeling. Letting her go the way you did was so disrespectful, now I question the shows authenticity. She was the matriarch of the family which brings love, strength,fun & laughter, the glue that keeps the family close & together.
You gave reduced Home & family to just a did show.
Sorry For Such Bad judgement, You Just lost A Regular viewer.
Sincerely, Nancy Whobrey
Cancel the show. Debbie is not a host worth watching. Lost this viewer.
I am most sad that Christina is not on Home and Family anymore! She was the reason I watched the show, she is such a classy lady, I probably won’t watch now! I feel you made a bad decision! Christina know you have so many that love you as I do!
One of the reasons I watched the show was Cristina’s energy and genuineness. Debbie does not have those characteristics! I think this was a big mistake, especially the way it was handled.Debbie is too much of a showboat!