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 have been under the assumption that Christina was on vacation.
This is not a Hallmark moment to realize that she had been replaced.
Very disappointed. I thought that I had found a program that I could relate to
and enjoy. Went from wholesome to ‘just like every other choice”. TV off and music on!
I feel the same way! I hoped Christina was just on vacation as well. I have been a fan of hers since her modeling days. She displays such warmth and kindness while sharing interesting stories and demonstrates such talent with cooking and design. Debbie is improving but it isn’t the same show. How could Woody allow this? I may continue to DVR just for the crafts and cooking.
I love the show , but it’s not the same anymore , you had a good thing going , and then you just change it . Well you just lost a loyal viewer !
I’m not going to watch it. I don’t think there is the same chemistry. I’m very upawt with Home and Family.
I am VERY disappointed with Hallmark’s decision. Christina was a great, so warm and a family oriented cohost. She is the main reason why I watched it everyday. Debbie is too she-she for the role. Not a warm leader. I have STOPPED watching it after 4 years and would suggest that Hallmark brings Christina back!
Such a shame! I feel like a 10 year old who’s parents just split up. Christina and Mark had such great chemistry, this was the best daytime show, and one of the better ones on at all. It’s not the same without Christina, I had already lost interest the last few weeks, but now knowing this is permanent, I’m with everyone else, I don’t know if I’ll watch at all.
I agree with you. I am stunned. There is nobody as real, funny, vibrant and loving as Christina.
Wow! What a disappointing decision!!! Seems that most of the people watching this show were more able to relate to Christina not Debbie!! Christina was so genuine. Debbie was good in her part but doesn’t seem to have enough life experience for cooking, sports, games, etc. Won’t tune in regularly anymore for sure!! Sorry Debbie but you are like too many of the other hosts on tv right now!
I will no longer be watching home and family. Christina was one of the reasons why I watch the show. Many of my friends will not be watching the show either. Is it the network may just want a little younger group on the show. Not right at all. Christina was great.
I will not be watching. Hallmark messed up big time in my opinion. I watched because of her. Now I’m done.
Debbie is tomorrow chatty
I I don’t like the new co host Debbie is not as good as Cristina I’m very disappointed will not be watching anymore
I will no longer watch the show I think it is an outrage to disrespect Christine this way. I do not care for Debbie. She hangs all over Mark and acts like she is so important. Nice move Hallmark!
Debbie may be a fantastic person but as a host she appears insincere, artificial and is annoying. I cannot imagine what kind of people think Debbie is an effective host.
Chrisina we miss you. All the best.
I, too, have been wondering where Christina is. Just now find out she is no longer returning :((. The chemistry is just not there with Debbie, Christina was such a compassionate person. The program just isn’t the same, and I have not watched it for the last few weeks. Hallmark, what have you done!
Finally today, not seeing Christina, I decided to check and see where she is and when she might be coming back. Hate, Hate that she was replaced. Although Debbie is certainly “ok”,I grew very fond of Christina and her personality added so much to the Home and Family format. Her being deleted from the cast is certainly not a good statement for Home and Family to make, When a recent major news network had a shake up a few years ago,they really gave a very sweet and caring person the boot. I no longer watch the show as it puts… Read more »
Me too. I have been patiently waiting for Cristina to return. Just now, Out of curiosity I checked the internet and stumbled onto the shocking news that Debbie has permanently replaced Cristina. I wonder if Mark had something to do with Cristina being removed from the show?
Christina was my favorite cohost ever! So shocked and sad to hear that she won’t ever be on the show again! She’s a beautiful woman of God, very friendly, charming, has a bubbly personality and was so kind to the guests….always putting them first. Loved the interactions between she and Mark because even tho he teased her sometimes they really seemed to enjoy each other’s company. Told my husband, (along with others) what a positive, cheerful and informative show it was so he started watching too. Will no longer watch unless they rehire her… Hallmark execs made a huge mistake!!!
Please bring Christina back. She is main reason wbhy we watched the show. It hasn’t been the same without her. She is greatly missed. WEe watched every morning and now I’m not sure that will continue. We need Christina.