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?
You have lost another viewer. I so looked forward to this show every morning with Christina has one of the hosts. She brought such wisdom and grace to the show. I will not be watching anymore. So sorry — you people had a good thing going.
I am so sad that Christina will not be back. Hallmark, you messed up! I will not watch “Home and Family” unless you get her back!
I watched because of Christina. She is beautiful inside and out and I loved her sweet spirit. The way she treated everyone on the show is how everyone longs to be treated, with kindness and respect. This world is longing for people as an example of this genuineness. She is what makes this country GOOD. Hallmark is wrong to let her go unless it is for health reasons. It would be nice to let the viewers have an honest explanation of why she left.
I too am disappointed of the change. Will not watch this show any longer. Christina was the main reason – she brought a great balance to the show and was a leader. She brought a sophistication to the show. I am truly sad about the change.
How could Hallmark do this to Christina?This is a channel I watched a lot,but not any more! Christina was the best part of Home and Family.Replacing her with Debbie was stupid! Debbie is so phony,I really can’t stand watching her.As for Mark,shame on him!! I thought he really cared about her,so much for his feelings!!!!We now see the real Mark! I used to watch Home and Family every morning,not any more.I hope Christina gets her own show and Home and Family is cancelled. If Hallmark needed to get rid of someone it should have been Matt(the one that moved away),Sophie… Read more »
Cristina Ferrare is the heart and soul of that show. I probably won’t watch it anymore. I love Debbie but she is not Cristina. Sorry! Good luck to you Christina. I have followed you for years, have your cookbooks and just love you. Good luck in the future!
I think Christina leaving Home and Family was a bad decision by the networks and I will no longer watch the program. Christina is what made me record and watch the program. Debbies segment gave me the opportunity to use the fast forward button. I did not like Debbie and her 2 minute segments. I cannot and will not watch her cohost for 2 hours. Whatever your reasons were…you lost me at Christina out, Debbie in !
Christina was the reason I watched the show. It seems like it is the old story when a woman gets older, regardless how good she is, replace her with a younger model. It is a shame that she did not get the acknowledgement of building up the show’s audience over the years, Then after you get unceremoniously get rid of her, you have Mark say that the door is always open for her to visit. How embarrassing for her. You need her more than she needs you. I always watched the show on demand, I will no longer be doing… Read more »
Will likely not watch as often! I am really saddened that hallmark did not take fans opinions into this poor decision. Debbie is ok, but comes off as somewhat arrogant and not as warm and inviting as Cristina. Farrare helped pull in the ratings for Home and Family and had such a likable chemistry with cohost Mark. Please reconsider this err in judgement.
I am very disappointed that Cristina is no longer on Hallmark. My husband says turn the channel I will no longer watch Home and Family. Its not a good call, you will see that your viewers will no longer watch. Just wait and watch….
Bad move Hallmark! Bring Cristina back IF she will come back. Also, I consider we (the loyal viewers) were shown no respect in the way you handled this. Cristina- we were all worried about your health, and then Hallmark did this to you! Home and FAMILY seems to be an incorrectly named show.
The show is not the same without Christina! Once the cast starts changing after an audience gets to know them it’s never the same! Debbie is wonderful too however this changeout will take some time to get used to! I believe we shouldn’t snub a “family member” because something went wrong or we didn’t like something…. If this is the “Home and Family Show” treat the show cast as a member of your family. Work through the issues and the bond becomes stronger… Work through this Home and Family! We miss her!
I am sorely disappointed in Hallmark, and whoever else came upon the decision to fire Christina! Christina was the one that gave a homey warm family feeling to the show. I do not even enjoy watching the show now, so I have just stopped watching it all together! Debbie is silly and immature , and definitely NOT co-host material! Think about the age group of women that watch this show! Most are mature, women that relate to Christina more than any one else on the show! You have made a HUGE MISTAKE HERE! I was already very disappointed in the… Read more »
I also do Not enjoy talk shows when everyone talks at once or interrupts others. What is wrong? I think the absences of class is missing. That being Christine Far rare.
I will no longer watch Home & Family now that Cristina Ferrare has been dropped. It seems that Hallmark is following ABC in replacing people at will, with no regard for how others will be affected.