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?
SO sad that Christina is off the show!! I can’t believe they got rid of her and I’m so disappointed in Hallmark for just dropping her without any goodbye or explanation. And to lie and say she was on vacation! I expected more from a channel that is so much about family and values…I’m sad to say that the Home and Family I loved so much seems to be gone forever. In a world where there are so many self absorbed, self centered, “selfie” taking divas, it was so refreshing to find a show and host that wasn’t about that… Read more »
You have lost me as a daily viewer of Home and Family. I love Cristina. Mark is ok but I cannot stand his constant interruptions and silliness. Cristina showed such class. Debbie is too hyper to be on tv!! I loved tuning in everyday but will no longer be watching H&F.
I will be able to watch the show now since she is gone. So glad she was replaced
Replacing Cristina, especially in the manner in which she was replaced, really has tainted the Hallmark’s Channel image. There is no “Home and Family” program without Cristina~she was the “heart” of the show. The show has lost appeal to a large viewing audience. The bottom line is that the REASON viewers watch(ed) this show was because of Cristina and all that she brought to the program. Cristina has accomplished much in her life long careers, and continues to be well respected and admired for who she is. Debbie, bless her heart, is just, unfortunately, someone who can be easily forgotten… Read more »
Although I didn’t watch the show that much, I thought Cristina made it happen the times I did see it. The new girl is annoying in my opinion.
dear Hallmark you had no right to Take Chirstina off the air that was very wrong you did you need to put her back on
As a newer viewer to the show, I was concerned and disappointed that Christina was no longer cohosting the show. Very glad she is not sick, but thought she did an excellent job and always looked forward to her contributions to the show.
I do think the show has a lot to offer the viewer.
I think its terrible they replaced Christina I don’t like her replacement..
I’m terribly disappointed in you home and family for the way you handled this situation. I watched this show because off Mark and Christina people can only handle small amounts of Debbie she’s not as warm, caring and as genuine. I don’t even like it when she’s the co-host, now i have to watch her daily?? Nope, not watching anymore you’ve lost another viewer!!!
I thought she was on vacation, and after awhile got tired of her replacement. Carry to learn she is gone. Those of us who are older and depend upon tv for entertainment don’t mind that she isn’t all that young!
Sorry to hear that Cristina won’t be returning——neither will I.
How disgusting of hallmark…who do you think watches this show? It is older women like myself and Christina was perfect for the show! She was excellent as a cohost brought balance to everyone there…I am finished watching the show…life is not like a hallmark movie so why try to make the home and family show some kind of steoford scene
I will continue to watch, just not as much, Debbie is not in my demographic, Christina was. Was this Woody’s decision?
The show is not the same without Christina!!!!!
That simply isn’t right. I feel so bad so terrible about that happening. I’ll pray for you and pray that all works out according to God’s will.
Wow, I really thought that if there were a channel to ever handle a situation in this manner, “Hallmark” would be the last one to do it. Christina WAS Home and Family, she defined everything this show is! It is she that brought all that happens on this show and made it special. Yes, so many wonderful people are a part of this family and show, a wonderful amazing group of people…But how the “Mother” to them all, the “back-bone”, the Matriarch of them all, (the list could go on), was seen as the one who had to go??? She… Read more »