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 was shocked and disappointed at the firing of Cristina Ferrare. I feel that she was the foundation of the show. She is beautiful, knowledgeable, and welcoming. Tuning in to H&F was like sitting in Cristina’s living room.
For others, I hope the show continues. For me, it is not the same and does not engage me any longer. In my opinion, Hallmark has made a terrible mustake.
The producers made a huge mistake! My mom watched the show religiously every day. She felt a kind of kinship with Cristina, since she is also of Italian-American descent and loves to cook. She will miss Cristina’s warmth, kindness, and empathy (especially to guests that were going through a rough patch in life). Clearly, Cristina was the heart of the show. She exemplified what “Home and Family,” was suppose to be about. The show will be cancelled soon as no one will be watching, without Cristina.
Christina provided elegance to the show. i will no longer record nor look forward to watching Home & Family without Christina
Mistake to replace Cristina. Nothing against Debbie but the show just does not have the same feel or appeal. Bring her back !!!
Taking Chistina off Home & Family took the sparkle out the diamond. It is very boring & lack luster now. It’s not something I look forward to watching every morning. What were you thinking Woody!!!!!! Hate it!!!!!
How the home and family show handled the way christina was taken off the show is very upsetting. Home and family has been part of my day since the beginning. I as a viewer felt that christina was “the mom” of the show. To dismiss her as if she required no love and respect is like saying family is not as important as we have pretended to portray. I tried to watch the program since the cold and uncaring announcement from Mark that Chrstina left and here’s Debbie but it just feels wrong. Other family members such as Dr. JJ,… Read more »
I’m extremely disappointed in Hallmark, a network which I always associated with mature women rather than blonde Barbie dolls. Obviously your network has decided to shift your demographic focus. Good luck with that. This recent move is insulting to all mature women and the talent we bring to the table.
I always liked Christina on the show, watched her back in the day when she had other co-host. I do miss her now and have lost my interest in the show. I did however always feel that there was something wrong with the match between her and Mark. Christina, you need your own show.Your cooking is the best.
I have tried to watch the new co-host team, the changed up format and the show in general since Christina’s departure. It is an EPIC failure. I don’the enjoy watching. There is nothing genuine here at all. The viewers are subject to phony nice”acting” forced smiles and c’mon crying about Marks life and difficulties!!! We are not that easily swayed or fooled Hallmark. We don’t want to watch more 20 -30 year old new moms, young make-up tips, and baby or toddler tips. Let’s face it most of us watched because the show was genuine and we felt it was… Read more »
WOW – did you ever hit the nail on the head! Your comment is the reason I don’t watch anymore.
I watched some with the new chick. Not going to watch anymore. And I had just learned how to pronounce Christina’s last name. I always wonder about abrupt changes like that. Like who is behind the scene that this new one is related to or who and how much money did she have to put up to come in and pretty much ruin the show!
I am so sorry that Christina is gone from Home and Family! She was the main reason I watched it daily! She is a class act as someone else has already commented. I also like Kim Douglas. Debbie is nice, but I won’t be watching as often without Christina! She made the show in my opinion!
I loved to see Christina on the Home and Family show. She was just so sweet and sincere and an overall special person, whom you just don’t see on TV anymore. My family loved watching her on the show. I no longer like to watch it and probably will not watch it anymore. I miss you Christina and I wish you the best in life. God Bless you and your family!
I think it’s a real mistake to take Christina off; she is the same age of so many of us who watch and we identify with her. Debbie is nice, but definitely no Christina. What a shame.
I tolerated Mark. I did chores during any segment with Debbie. I watched only because of Christina. Hallmark has the right to replace anyone they choose and I have the right to never watch the show again.
We have been a fan of the Home and Garden since it started and my husband and I both loved Christine and Mark. We thought all this time that they were married to each other and miss her so. The show is not the same an don’t look forward to watching it any longer. She was such a blessing to us all.