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?
Sry Christina. I miss you & I doubt I’ll be watching Home & Family since you won’t be on. You are a big reason I watched it. You made the show. Gid bless you in whatever you may do. Live to you.
Unbelievable how a great lady like Christina be replaced shame on you . I will no longer watch home and family .
Very sad and I am not watching anymore. I kept thinking she was on vacation.
Lost its gem and homey feeling. No longer watching this show.
Unbelievable. Christina was so charming and she made the show wonderful.
ugh to Debbie hosting. Debbie seems fake and insincere. It was so nice to look on t.v. and see someone so beautiful as Christina hosting being sincere and loving. As well Christina is so talented with her cooking expertise, beautiful floral displays and decorating. Hallmark made a big mistake in letting Christina go. Boo to you Woody!
What a BAD MOVE Indeed, Bring back Cristina she was the true heart and soul of the show. I is so evident Debbie is in way over her head. HALLMARK needs to admit their mistake and apologize to Christina and the shows once loyal viewers. Perhaps a Boycott of HALLMARK products would emphasize the point.
I too am disappointed in the removal of Christina from the show. I wondered why Debbie was co hosting. Thought Christina was off and she was just filling in. Wow Hallmark I hope this works out for you. So far it does not have the same Hallmark feel. You might of been better off adding a 3rd co host, instead of terminating the light of the show. I will still check you out on the web for your diy’s. Guess I better cancel the trip to see the show.
Very disappointed to know that Christina has been replaced. She gave the program the “class” it now seems to be lacking. Poor decision on the part of the Hallmark station. I like a lot of their programs but afraid I have to give this one up.
Very disappointed in the dropping of Christina the show has lost its best host. It is no longer very “homey”. It has lost its heart. I will no longer watch.
Bought larger package on my cable net to watch Hallmark. Since Christina has gone, deleted from DVR. I don’t watch H&F or any other Hallmark shows. Very disappointing. Was my favorite daily “watch”.
Big mistake, Execs… U let a ‘Gem’ go.. Cristina has wit, charisma, intellect, warmth & Class. Bye bye H & F..
I am very disappointed with Hallmark for asking Christina to leave. I have not watched the Home and Family show since I found out that they asked her to leave because of her age. It’s ridiculous.
I truly miss Christina and wish her the best. Without her the show has lost credibility. Now it seems to be targeted toward twenty-somethings and not to all ages as before. Christine made the show. She kept everybody grounded and on track, even Mark who needs somebody curb his too many silly jokes. At the very least, Christina should been allowed to prepare her audience for her departure. She was dropped without any explanation as if she had committed a crime. Miss you Christine!
I was looking forward to the Christmas in July shows because of Christina’s segments – huge disappointment – removed the show from my DVR. Hope she gets a new show – what a waste of talent!!
I wonder what had happened to her I thought she was sick or something had happened to her. I had cancel hallmark channels and just got it back because I missed watching home and family but mainly to see Cristina . She such a classic lovely person. I’m glad I recorded some show with her.
Miss Cristina. The warmth is no longer there. Not watching show with Debbie. Lost interest. Debbie too much into herself