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?
Cristina was the main reason I watched the show; I’m done with it now. I’d rather watch “snow” on the screen than watch Home and Family any more. Since Hallmark no longer shows “The Waltons” and now this, I’m done with the Hallmark Channel and their products as well. Guess all my Hallmark ornaments will be in the next yard sale.
I have been watching and waiting for Christinas return to the show. thinking she was out on Vacation or perhaps out sick. or an operation , etc. finally I decided to google and see what is going on? Now I see she was let go and replaced by Debbie.? This makes me very sad. Christina was the glue of the show , the most sincere and honest. I will no longer watch the show . Seems to me all the things your show stood for you threw out the window. family and love? sorry for you all you missed your… Read more »
I’m sorry to see Cristina leave the show. I like her style of hosting I’m sorry to say I won’t be watching the show. I might watch the show once in a while but not as I did when Cristina was on.
The show is not the same without Christina! I don’t even watch now. Carson
I am saddened by this news, but glad Christina is not sick as I was sure that that was why she was gone. I do not feel Debbie is a good fit for this role. She appears to try to hard and is far too much competitive in personality that I do not care to watch her during the “games”. Christina brought to the show a motherly warmth for all cast, crew and guests that cannot be replaced. Just not that interested in the show anymore
SO SORRY CRISTINA IS GONE , the show is not the same. No longer watch.
Yes, I am sorry. I loved their show at Dollywood and was looking forward to more fun shows. They didn’t do her right.
I have stopped watching home and family because without Christine the show is not the same.
I will not be watching either. Wondered what happened to Christine, she was the glue that held that show together. Not really interested in watching now, she should be put back on.
Verrry disappointed on your decision of letting Cristina Ferrare go. She was the heart of Home and Family. The only talk show I enjoyed watching. Cristina and Mark had a great chemistry together,not quite the same now. Probably won’t be watching much anymore! I hope Cristina finds another talk show to host! She’s one of a kind and very sincere !
I am glad to hear that Cristina was not missing because she was sick or a family member. I am sadden that she was let go. I thought she bought a lot to the show. I have been a fan of hers for years. I thought that Christina was a good match with Mark
Will miss Cristina Ferrare – thought represented the heart of Home & Family but I will still watch when I can.
I thought that Christina and Mark were great together… Mark and Debbie seem to be a some what of a down grade… not interested.
Like so many others, I am disappointed that Hallmark made what appears to be a sneaky decision to oust a wonderful host with no regard for her ongoing contributions to the success of the show. I, too, wonder if this was a quick elimination of the older woman in favor of the more youthful one. I have not watched the show since all this came out. I simply cannot support an organization that markets to the family while seemingly divorcing itself from the same value.
I am going to truly miss Christina on the show. She represents a class act that resonates a connection to the more matured viewers. The changing of the host could have been done with more dignity, after all your network is supposed to be representing “Home and Family “?
I miss Christina because she is so young for her age. She fills the missing link I need. Her faith is evident and I feel that is important. My heart is not completely with the show without her.