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?
Poorly handled by Hallmark Channel by lying and saying she was on vacation. She brought a sense of style and sophistication to the show. Debbie did a decent job with her smaller segments but she just isn’t as good as co-host. Probably will stop watching. Best of luck to Cristina.
I was shocked that Christina is no longer the co host of Home and Family. She
is a very classy lady and I will no longer be watching this show because I feel that Debbie is not a good host and the powers that be were stupid to put her in Christina’s spot.
I miss Christina! She was superb. It is NOT the same show. 🙁
I also learned today via the Internet that Christina has been replaced by Debbie. So very sad indeed! Christina was MY CONNECTION to the show. This is nothing against Debbie, but everything against a mentality that female hosts and cohosts need to be youthful. Christina kept this show going for years and through different male cohosts. You have lost a viewer.
I’m so sad ! I watched Home & Family every morning and felt like it was my family. With Christina gone, Mom is missing now. I don’t blame Debbie at all, and I like her on the show but not as the Co-Host. I’m very disappointed and honestly don’t know if I’ll continue to watch.
I like Debbie and I will continue to watch the show. I do not feel that Debbie brings that same warm and fuzzy family feeling to H&F. I thought Christina was on vacation or sick and would return. I do not approve of the way the situation was handled. I feel that it was unfair to Christina and all of her followers.
So sorry to see Christina go, she is one class act and made Home and Family standout. I watched Home and Family daily and it does not seem the same without Christina! She will be sorely missed I wish you well Christina, you have a lot to offer.
Not happy at all about Home & Family replacing Christina ! She was the center of the show loved the show when she was on I feel like I lost my best friend. Not so interested to watch anymore do not like their decision and how they went about it. Good Luck Christina we love you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big, big, big mistake replacing Christina. I will no longer be watching Home and Family.
Please bring Christina back! It’s not the same without her!
Shame on you Hallmark. Very disappointed in Hallmark. I am not able to watch every day and have been wondering what happened to Cristina. Finally going on-line to find the answer. I thought of Home & Family as a truthful and family show. The way this was handled is not truthful and the family (your viewers) had no say in this decision. You have done what our government and others have done that says don’t trust me. Can’t anyone just come out and be honest about a situation. Christina has a class that you could not replace no matter how… Read more »
Just found out! Thought Christina was on vacation. Christina has more class and grace in her baby finger than Debbie could ever have. Always could relate with Christina. She kept Mark grounded. Debbie acts silly in my opinion. Lost a regular viewer. Christina will be sorely missed.
BIG MISTAKE!!!! Cristina was the solid pillar of this show. She added such fun and SOPHISTICATION to the show. Probably will not be watching regularly now. FOX news will fill your slot for me. Debbie is sweet and ok but not of the same class as Cristina. Am so sad for your decision.
It’s me again. I’m THRILLED to see the “We Love Christina” posts are still rolling in. The show is SO not the same. Losing H&F as my daily guilty pleasure has left a depressing hole in my mornings, and it looks like I’m not alone. Again today, just to be fair, I tuned in and caught part of the cooking segment. Seemed like Debbie (almost said Barbie!) actually talked more than the chef! She can’t keep it zipped for a minute. Clicked out of there quick and doubt I’ll try again. If anyone knows how to track the show’s ratings,… Read more »
Wow, feels like a divorce. Moving the older spouse out for newer younger model. Yet the new one lacks the warmth of Christina. So many women who watch the show can relate to Chrisitna. She was obviously not getting the demographic they wanted so they replaced her with someone younger. But execs don’t get it. Christina is the demographic that is watching and that won’t change with a younger host. Believe this will be the demise of the show as a lot of viewers will feel betrayed and rejected and empathetic to Christina’s firing. She has a loyal fan base… Read more »