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?
Christina was so down to earth and brought excitement to the show. So sad that she is gone. Wanted to come see the show in person so I could meet her. I watched her in the eighties. Bad decision that she is not there anymore.
I will continue to watch Home and Family but it just does not seem the same without Christina. She and Mark were very good together. My husband and I thought they were married. They seemed that suited as a couple on the show.
It is a very good program though. DIY segments are fantastic. Please keep up the great work in that department.
I am so sad to see Christina go! She is the reason I watch the show. Her gracious goodbye and support of the new cohost and season 5 was admirable. She is a class act. It is not the same without her, I’m sad to say it is no longer keeping my interest. I’ll tune in again if she comes back, but no offense to the lovely new cohost, but she doesn’t bring the experience and joy that Christina did. Thanks for the years Christina, you I laughed and truly enjoyed your show!
I will miss Cristina, it was nice to see a classy lady on tv. A warm and endearing lady who wasn’t sucked, tucked and pulled together. I, enjoyed my mornings and taped when I wouldn’t be home. So sad, kept hoping she was on vacation like was first said, but the buck stops with producer Woody. What about his age? Oh, that’s right he’s a man so age doesn’t matter! Hope you’re happy with your decision. I enjoyed a lot of the other segments but none as much as Cristinas cooking and floral arrangments. I wish you other contributors well… Read more »
I am so disappointed to learn that Cristina Ferrari is off the show! I thought this was all one big happy family. I guess that was all phony. What a way to treat a member of your family. If the higher ups are changing direction for the show, I recall another show Cristina was on years ago with Rob Weller, I think. Very much like H&F. Then they started having “discussions” like politics and other topics. It didn’t last long after the new direction. I am going to miss the show (tried watching it and lasted about 15 mim.). I… Read more »
Well this just stinks, I love Cristina! I will no longer watch the shop! Hallmark handled this badly!
You messed up when you let her go. Won’t watch anymore.
Bad idea. Stopped watching. A least an appropriate send off. Very sad!
I think the show went from a 10 to about a 3 I also will not be watching anymore.It is awful that they took the star of the show off a very bad mistake I guess I will go back to The today show!
I am so sorry to discover that Cristina will no longer co-host “Home and Family.” I have been a loyal viewer since the first run of the show. Was so happy when it was brought back on air. Mark was good, but the chemistry with Paige did not work somehow…so you bring Cristina back and the show becomes a huge success. What are you thinking???? Take Cristina away, insert Debbie and you are right back to the same problematic hosting situation. I liked Paige as a person and Debbie is okay, but she is waaayyy too “forced” and awkward and… Read more »
Well at last the mystery is solved! I am sorry to hear of Christina’s departure. It does not appear it was handled very well professionally. The Audience also deserved better. Is that really the way you handle “Family” with a dismissal with no explanation??? Couldn’t there have been a gradual transition leading to Debbie? I realize there may be contract issues but I too wondered if Christina was on vacation or ill. (Happy to hear she is o.k.) I DO think Debbie is very good and doing a very good job. Sometimes I think Hallmark got rid of the wrong… Read more »
It seems there are so many unfortunate aspects to this situation. It seems that a loyal,beloved and integral member of the show was unceremoniously let go. It seems mean and like it must have been quite humiliating to those of us who are fond of her. She must feel very betrayed to have contributed so much of herself and then just replaced without any recognition. I don’t know if this is painful for her, but it certainly is for the viewers. I don’t know if it was an age thing or not, I hope not, because that would be very… Read more »
I have been on vacation and tuned in to home and family this morning. I was disappointed not to see Christine. Debbie is not the calming sweet person that Christine is. I did a google search to find out what is going on. I am disappointed. I will not be watching the show any longer.
I enjoyed watching Christina. Actually thought she was related to mark (sort of look alike) very disappointed she’s gone.
Cristina makes the show with her personality.We have watched for a long time and recorded many
Not in favor of the change.