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 will greatly miss Cristina! But I think Debbie will make a good co-host-she paid her dues on The View and has come a long way. Hugs and kisses to Cristina!!!!!!!
Hallmark why in the world would you take Christina off of Home and Family??? She was the heart of the show. Please bring her back. (If she will come back). Debbie is o.k. just doing some segments, but she definitely is NOT co-host material . I am sorry to say I will not be watching the show anymore. I’ve been faithfully watching from day one and recommend it to all of my family and friends. Well, that won’t be happening now. Let’s see if it gets nominated for anything again.
I don’t appreciate the way her exit was handled. The public kept being told she was somewhere on a beach with her feet up taking a very much deserved vacation. I have no interest in watching a show that cannot tell the viewers the truth. Wish you the best Christina. Deebbie adds nothing of value to the show unless you are into arrogance and big egos. There are more qualified people than Debbie.
I will not watch the show as long as Debbie is the host. She is too arrogant for me taste. Christina was the heart of the show. Big mistake on Hallmark Channel.
It grieves me so that Christina was not asked to be a part of season 5. I’ve been watching this show for years… off and on in the past, but everyday since 2013. Christina and Matk have that btother/sister chemistry and it really felt like family. However, it lacks the warmth that it had with Christina. Especially at this time… Christmas in July doesn’t have the heart without her. She has that MOTHER’S HEART, which makes everyone who watches the show feel at HOME! Now it’s just ‘House and Family’. Yes, the cast is like a family, but I don’t… Read more »
Big, big mistake!! Cristina was the only reason I watched H&F! I waited so long until my cable company got the Hallmark Channel. Now I can cancel the cable, I have lost interest in H&F and no longer tape to watch. I have no interest in Debbie M., in fact when she comes on I change the channel or fast forward thru her segment!!! Christina was down to earth, genuine and a person to be trusted. They should change all of the hosts if they are trying to go in a different direction!! Keep in mind network, young people don’t… Read more »
I was a faithful Home and Family watcher. I taped every episode so that I wouldn’t miss a minute of the show. Much to my regret, Christina, my favorite person won’t be returning. I thought that Christina was the glue that kept everyone together. She is honest, sincere, modest and loyal, a true role model for women our age and I looked so forward to her positive reinforcement that there was still some good in the world. Christina put her heart in the show and you could feel it. It was Christina that drew me to Home and Family and… Read more »
So sorry & sad to hear Cristina has the left the show. Big mistake/bad decision as she was the glue that held ‘the family’ together. She will missed, already losing interest in this nice show…
I am so disappointed that Christina Ferrare is no longer on Home and Family. She added so much vitality to the show. She was vibrant, and enthusiastic and was also a very good interviewer. The show is not as interesting now that Christina is no longer there. She and Mark made a great team. Debbie is a lovely person, but she and Mark do not fit well together at all. I really am not interested in watching the show any more.
I am relieved to learn Ms. Ferrare is not ill. I am deeply disappointed she was not invited to return. I found her warm and relatable, Debbie not so much. While I sincerely thank Home & Family management for the time you gave viewers with Christina, I will be viewing the show rarely in the future as your decision has deprived me of the pleasure of Ms. Ferrare’s ‘company’.
I can’t believe Hallmark made such a horrible decision to no longer have Christina as co-host, and worse to replace her with Debbie. This is a bad choice. No, I won’t watch anymore without Christina.
The dynamics between Christina and Mark have grown and matured throughout the years and made this show a truly remarkable one. I am sure they are trying to reach a new demographic but they are losing a very solid one. I am afraid I don’ t enjoy the new direction of the show. I feel like I have lost a friend. I looked forward to this show every day and always deleted when Mark or Christina was on vacation because the energy wasn’t there. Now,
I will be turning off indefinitely.
I am so very disappointed that Christina Ferrare is no longer on Home and Family. She was so positive & vibrant, as well as a great interviewer. I loved how she displayed such joy over cooking her recipes and her guests’ recipes. The show is definitely not as interesting any more. I really don’t enjoy watching the show any more. Mark & Christina made a great team on the show. Debbie is a lovely person, but she & Mark do not fit well together like Mark & Christina did.
I am sorry to find out that she gone. I loved watching her and Mark together. The show in my opinion has not been the same. My mother and I will no longer watch it.
Sadly Hallmark Channel is not reacting to any of the viewers opinion of what happened along with offering Cristina a comeback or new show or something. Sad since they don’t realize they lost so much with this on how they handled it.
What were you thinking! Christina added class to the show even when she was interrupted constantly by Mark. If anything, Mark is the one that should go. His constant “not good” humor is annoying!! Many a segment was not completed because of his “quote” humor.
Christina was the ultimate host who made everyone feel as if they were in her own home. Letting her go is the ultimate betrayal . Home and Family without Christina? I think not.
I will no longer watch this show.
I agree. Mark is not funny. No wonder Christina rolled her eyes at him alot. She was stiff sometimes tho. This Debbie girl talks too fast. I like that blond lady who advertizes StriVectin.