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?
Will no longer watch. I loved Christine and mark together. They made the show what it is.
I am completely upset to learn the truth why I no longer see Christina on my go to morning show Home and Family. To be honest Christina was the only reason I watched. The segments are too long, while I like Mark and Kim most of the support team drive me crazy especially DEBBIE! Her voice drives me crazy and she is no where close to the professional co host that Christina was. I thought for sure it was Christina’s choice to leave and to learn she was fired. SHAME ON YOU HALLMARK. I will no longer watch Home and… Read more »
Cristina was the show. Her warmth made everything she said and did interesting to watch. Hallmark made a big mistake. I will not watch now.
I cannot believe they let Christina go, they should have let Mark instead. She was the main reason I loved the show, Ken also. This is so awful.
Whenever I am not teaching, I enjoy watching Home and Family. The relationship between Mark and Cristina is so real; you can see the true love of their friendship. Now that Cristina has been replaced, the show has lost that natural personal connection. The new cohost combination is not believable. Debi is too over the top, trying too hard, just seems too fake. I have given the show over a week (thinking she was just nervous) and still feel the same way. This new hosting combination just does not work for me. They are not “believable” as friends off the… Read more »
So sorry to hear about Christina, she was such a natural and really genuine, very soothing to listen to. Love Debbie but really think Christina is much better for that co-host position, I will miss her.
The show just isn’t the same. I have no interest in watching now.
I am very saddened that Christina left. She was a fantastic host on Home and Family. She had a wonderful personality and she is a true beauty. I will miss her very much. She is also a great cook.
I am so very sad and disapointed that Christina is not on this show any longer….. I felt that she was so relateable and I don’t feel the same about Debbie. I will no longer watch the show. The show didn’t let the viewers know what was going on and I feel that it was wrong. Just today I said boy I hope nothing is wrong with Christina she has been gone for awhile. I’m glad to see that Christina is fine health wise…. but so sad she isn’t on the show.
Debbie is cute does well, but not as well as Cristina. Hallmark really goofed. I do not feel as compelled to watch the shown. Unfortunately the situation was handled badly, also. POOH!
Bad call on letting Cristina go. I watched this show every day, but no longer. She was the reason I watched.
Yes, I agree about hyperactive, fast talking Debbie M. It makes me uptight. I thought that Cristina was a “at-home type” personality. I hate Mark Stienes’s corny jokes but it was Cristina who made me stay with the show. I also liked the craft segments which have become a bore now. So, no, I will not be watching any longer. Too bad. It’s the last show of its type.
Wow can’t believe Chritina was FIRED! After all the professionalism Christina has shown you, this is the way you treat her, that is so messed up. I watched all the time. That won’t be happening anymore. GOODBYE HALLMARK YOU SUCK!!!!!
We would like to see Christina back . She made the show .
I too am not happy about Christina leaving the show. She was a joy and an inspiration to me, as I am in my middle 40’s. It was great to have a lady of wisdom and confidence on the show. I love Debbie, and I believe she contributes a great deal to the show, but I want Christina back. No offense to Debbie at all…she has a great role on the show. BUT…Christina belongs next to Mark as co-host…hands down. Very disappointed.