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 miss Cristina, always so lady-like, so perfect as a hostess. Won’t be watching anymore, she added a special touch every day. Mark doesn’t look the same without her by his side. I don’t have anything against the new hostess, but I miss Cristina. I’ll find something else to watch to start my day.
Cristina we will miss you. My six adopted children, now ranging in ages 24-32, were on you show years ago, when Barbara Eden was on the show. We won fancy coffee maker when we were audience members playing the game. My children are all adopted and ethnically diverse. For them to have this experience was the highlight of that vacation for all of us. They could point o you on the current ‘Home and Family’ and say “I met her!” Thank you for your sharing and family presence.
I have been very concerned about why she wasn’t on, thought perhaps she was on vacation. Just googled and found out why. SHAME ON HALLMARK!!!
I “found” the show when I retired and have enjoyed it – until now. She is a class-act and I watched to see her. Will no longer watch. She represents the majority of your viewers, duh!!!
Christina Ferrare was the HEART of Home and Family. She & Mark had a chemistry that he & Debbie will never have. If you’re looking to draw a younger demographic group….hello, most of them are at work when your show is on. Count me out as a viewer. If someone is smart, they will find a venue for Christina Ferrare…all my best to you for the future.
I am SAD that Christina is not on I tried to watch, but I don’t enjoy Debbie not that she is good, but Christina was WONDERFUL!!!!! I will not watch any more Debbie is too overpowering for Mark!!!
No, I won’t be watching anymore! Good luck to you, Christina. you deserved better than this!
I am so sorry to see Christina leave Home and Family. I think she added an element of class to the show and I loved seeing the classic clothes she wore. I like Debbie but I don’t like the way they dress her.
Not going to watch show anymore. Loved her and Mark
I am sorry Cristina is leaving Home and Family. It seems unfair and I think most of us would like to know the real reason for Cristina departing the show. Whatever the reason, it is sad to see her go. I hope she has happy times with family and friends and much success in the future. She will be missed❤️
Cristina,if you are reading all these comments from people who care about you ,please answer us and tell us what really happened. We really really miss you in the morning.
I have watched home and family right after miss Davis left the show and Christina joined the show. She and Mark had great chemistry. I do not like at all that she is gone. Debbie was good as a “part of the group” not as co-host. I like home and family, I think she should have at least been given a going away party, it was so wrong to send her off with nothing. Firing her is wrong. If Woody was the one I will quit watching if they don’t bring her back on and do it right. If she’s… Read more »
What a disappointment reading that Home and Family fired Christina I have loved the show and enjoyed her presence on the show. I think replacing someone because of age is so wrong. I doubt it will be the show of choice any longer.
Goodbye Hallmark and Home and Family. I no longer believe that you portray what you have seemingly espoused. Cristina embodied love of others that the elderly Mr. Fraser and Ms. Vicary of Hallmark seem to have cast aside. Seeing Mark & Debbie play their silly games, forcing themselves through the show’s opening, and finding themselves more interesting than the segments of others– all the while watching for the camera’s focus on them–is lost on me. What a let-down and slap in the face to those who watched, believing as did Cristina, in the love of family and each other. Too… Read more »
Agree 100%!
I soooo agree with Tinwin. I watched religiously for years and called it my a.m. addiction. The 2-3 times I’ve tuned in since Christina’s departure have left me absolutely COLD. Same faces but a whole different vibe. If I’d never seen the show and was channel surfing for something to watch, I’d click right past it. Thanks for the memories Woody and the rest of the Hallmark suits.
I can’t believe this supposedly family based channel would let the wonderful incredibly talented matriarch of Home and Family show be fired because of her age. Cristina Ferrare has enough poise, charisma, natural beauty, and talent to carry a show without any co-host. I believe you chose to keep the wrong host. Cristina had a very strong following and I believe due to this error in judgment H & F and Hallmark will rue the day this decision was made. Unlike the younger generation you are so interested in attracting, we baby boomers are dedicated fans, we will and should… Read more »
This comment is much more aggressive than I could have put it, but it expresses my very strong feelings of disappointment, and, again, hope that this very wrongful decision gets reversed. Please, please let me know as soon as this is done. Thank you so much for the opportunity to express our opinions and sincerely hope that you respect and value your viewers enough to listen to our earnest and honorable requests to bring back Christina.