Home & Family has a new co-host. Today, the Hallmark Channel announced Debbie Matenopoulos will replace Cristina Ferrare as co-host of the daytime talk show.
Ferrare has hosted the series alongside Mark Steines since 2012.
Read the full details below:
STUDIO CITY, CA, June 21, 2016 – Cristina Ferrare, longtime co-host of Hallmark Channel’s Daytime Emmy®-nominated daily series “Home & Family,” will depart the network’s popular original lifestyle program, it was announced today by Hallmark Channel. The network also announced that current “Home & Family” member Debbie Matenopoulos will immediately join Emmy® Award-winning journalist and series co-host Mark Steines as the series’ new co-host.
“Cristina Ferrare has been instrumental in making ‘Home & Family’ one of daytime’s most popular lifestyle series,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming & Publicity, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
“Cristina’s natural flair and expertise, along with her warmth and grace, set a standard for all of us at ‘Home & Family,’ and we are forever indebted to her.
“It is a great pleasure to promote ‘Home & Family’ regular contributor Debbie Matenopoulos to become Mark’s co-host. Debbie has quickly become an audience favorite among our family of multi-talented lifestyle experts and we look forward to Debbie’s continued unique and exciting contributions going forward.”
What do you think? Do you watch Home & Family? Are you sad to see Cristina leave?
I’ve watched from show #1, when Christina first came in and replaced Paige, they didn’t even have a working kitchen, and I didn’t like it. Christina made it possible for me to like MARK, he was really not a good fit in the beginning, still stuck in rubbing elbows with red carpet celebrities.
Now….the whole thing is different. Like someone else said, I think they are going for a younger demographic. Hallmark is usually on my tv 24/7….now I only tune in at 2 pm and that’s it.
I started watching the show a couple of years ago. I LOVED it! It had something for EVERYONE. Young to old, crafty or not, serious and funny… I have noticed a change, and although some of the DIY seem comparable, other parts of the show are not. Cristina lent a sophistication and class (almost calmness) to the show. The other segments hosts are irreverent, funny and sometimes silly and that is ok; in small doses. Cristina gave the show more credibility to me. If the Hallmark channel doesn’t want people of a more mature level, then why not advertise a… Read more »
Home and Mafia Family! The show is not as wholesome as they try to portray. Puts me in mind of another family-Manson!
I finally found out that Cristina is no longer on the show. I’m so sorry to find that out. I loved watching her calmness, mature and fun loving. I do hope she makes appearences in the future. She was great.
If Home and Family wanted to get rid of somebody, the one to get rid of is the person who came up with the idea that Christina is the one to let go. They clearly don’t have a clue what the dynamics of the show are about, how vital she was, and how much she will be missed. You can’t say that about anybody else on the program. I would bet not too many people would be as upset if Debbie was the one not to show up one day. The corporate brains are betting on that the public will… Read more »
I couldn’t agree with your comments more. You have just said everything there is to say about this fiasco. I don’t think Mark has any integrity either!
Not at all happy that Hallmark replaced Cristina. She made that show. I don’t think Mark and Debbie have the same chemistry for the show that Cristina provided. I always missed her when she was not on the show. Debbie will probably do okay but I will not be watching as much if at all. I used to watch every day. I hope someone will give Cristina a show so that I will be able to watch her again. So sorry Hallmark did not see her continued value to the show.
I am sorry to see Cristina leave the show, I have watched her on previous shows and always admired her grace and femininity. I’ll miss her and wish her happiness and continued success. Debbie will do a great job along side Mark. Home&Family and Hallmatk remains my favorite show and Network.
Truth be told, I’ll bet age was a factor in Hallmark’s decision to fire Christina, though it would never be admitted. Debbie is a wonderful part of the show, but Christina was charismatic, beautiful, likable and full of life on the show. If age is the reason, shame on those execs. We senior citizens are still out here and are inspired by someone with some experience behind them who also has Christina’s qualities. I’m very disappointed.
There are many (or at least some) network executives who are a great deal more intelligent than those who appear to be running the Hallmark Channel. I predict that one of these more promising individuals will, in a New York minute, snap up the classy, savvy and infinitely adorable Cristina Ferrare, and bring her back to us. Wherever she goes, legions of appreciative and dedicated fans will follow. Shame on you, Hallmark, for your blatant lack of wisdom, foresight and simple common sense. Bye-bye!!
Hallmark channel has made a HUGE mistake by firing Cristina in such a HORRIBLE UNPROFESSIONAL manor! Shame on you Hallmark & anyone else who was involved in this decision. I like Debbie M. but she is not nor ever will be Cristina R! She (Cristina) is the very reason I did not stop watching H&F when Mark had the other co-host with him who was NOT a good match nor a very nice person, where working together the 1st season of H&F. Mark & Cristina made H&F what it is & God Bless & God speed Cristina you are one… Read more »
Back-to-back repeats from earlier in the week today with Debbie taking over every segment. I don’t see the DYI contest winner either.
So disappointed on the dismissal of Cristina! She provided the fun and flow. Will be passing on Home and Family. Wrong decision Hallmark executives!!
Although I truly like Debbie, I think it is a big big mistake replacing Cristina. I think it brought in my age group and significantly added interest to the show. I honestly have not enjoyed watching Home and Family nearly as much and often walk away from the television. I am very disappointed with hallmarks decision.
I no longer watch or dvr. Terrible how they deceived their viewers and how they treated Cristina!
I was so upset to hear Cristina was replaced. What a terrible way to let someone go without even letting her say goodbye. Very disappointed and not sure I will continue to watch since she was such a big part of the show. I agree with previous posts that Debbie is a little full of herself and Cristina was the opposite ,which was such a pleasure.
Very disappointed that Cristina will no longer be on the show. I think the way it was handled was so unprofessional and very unfair to the viewers. What a shame that she never even got to say goodbye!
Not sure if I will continue to watch, such a disappointment.