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?
WHAT A LOSS. Hallmark influences so many values by their characters in Movies but to lose Christina is totally insane. No grand influence can be seen in this decision. Your all fools.
I thought Cristina was a much more interesting and genuine host than her replacement. I thought Debbie was better as a contributer. I’m not a fan of Debbie as hostess. The show does not have the same fun genuine vibe that it did with Cristina. Also it feels a little strained between Debbie and the other women on the show.
Hallmark,by letting Christina go you have taken the genuine feeling of Home and family out of the show. Christina was the heart Of the family.Woody Please bring her back.It’s not the same without her, and I’ve tried but I just can’t watch it anymore.
I hate the fact that Christina is no longer on Home and Family. I don’t watch anymore because I can’t stand the fake, shallow Debbie who is little better than a cardboard cutout of “Barbie.”
The show is not the same anymore. Family doesn’t belong in its name because there is nothing that says family about the show. It is a lot of little segments that honestly could be there own shows and draw more attention than the show does now. Debbie is just not a co host that draws me in. There is nothing that makes me want to tune in tomorrow. Sorry, but I am not interested in watching anymore.
I am Sad see Christina leave Home and Family. I really wish it would have been her idea to leave rather than being fired. She was good for the show. That being said I feel they chose a good replacement. Good lick to the show .
Yes I will still watch and will be watching the show.
Hallmark has made a huge mistake in letting Christina go. I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH NUMEROUS FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND WE HAVE ALL STOPPED WATCHING SINCE SHE IS NO LONGER ON SHOW. HALLMARK NEEDS TO FIRE PERSON (S) WHO MADE DECISION TO REPLACE HER!
The big shot in charge of the H&F show, Woody Fraser, was the culprit who fired Cristina. If you Google him, you will find out who he is, how old he is (really old), and he is not a nice man.
I would normally not watch something as ‘politically correct” in its own way as Home and Family; and found Cristina mildly annoying for trying a bit too hard on the air. But not enough to wish her off the show.
Again, to be honest, I seldom really watched the show closely; but as a non-intrusive show with an occasional very interesting segment [yes, I’m a guy]; I’m a bit disappointed that Ms. Ferrare left so suddenly without a send-off or anything remotely resembling an explanation.
I hope Matt R. has read Margaret’s post, especially the final two lines. They speak directly to Matt’s FB response to a viewer that the reason for Christina’s sudden exile is none of our business. Matt R, who has shared personal aspects of his life on several shows, surely knows that such disclosure tends to engage viewers and make them truly feel “part of the family”. Typically, the first question asked when a beloved family member dies suddenly is “Oh my God, what happened?”. Had Hallmark shown a modicum of integrity, professionalism and sensitivity in the handling of Christina’s disappearance,… Read more »
Matt R. is another one with his foot on a banana peel. I don’t give him much credence anyway. He is a silly man who was on shaky ground even before they kicked Christina out
WOW! Well said. I wish I could express my feelings that well.
Hallmark has made a mistake. I wondered for days where Christina was. I was hoping she was on an extended vacation. So very sad. I cannot watch this program again. It used to be a highlight of my day to either watch or record and watch later. Never again. Christina is genuine. The person taking her place is not. I’m only one former viewer. Will never watch again.
Most of us have speculated that Christina’s firing was age-related, and that could be. But since she was fired right after praying on the Dollywood show, could that be the reason? If she was fired for that, it’s religious persecution. I commend her for doing it. With all the troubles in the world, and in our own nation, a relationship with the Lord is needed more than anything else and I admire her for not hiding her light under a bushel. She’s a wonderful example in that she lives her beliefs. She’s real…not a phony. I realize I’m speculating here… Read more »
You may be right, although I remember last Thanksgiving, the cast sat around a table all giving thanks and prayers. I thought Mark’s speech was so moving and genuine that I recorded the episode and replayed it many times. This to me was also praying. Christina may have taken it a step further, I don’t recall, but no matter. What made this show so special was that it showed faith and love and family values, and spirituality is a part of of that. Believing in the goodness of people and life. That is what everybody is missing without Christina. No… Read more »
A time of prayer and thanksgiving is traditional with many people at Thanksgiving time, so that might have been more tolerable to the executives than a person whose beliefs move them to pray out of “everyday gratitude.” This is just my opinion but I suspect that is when they decided she was out the door.
I will no longer be watching the show. Christina Ferrara WAS the show!
I really tried to continue watching the show…..but do not enjoy it anymore. I find myself fast forwarding it thru most of it. Last year my husband,daughter and I were guests on the show, in the audience, and cristina went out of her way to make us all feel welcome. I really don’t enjoy the show like I used to . Debbie has always been one of my favorites…..but not as the hostess……I have not related to anything she has cooked yet…..just am really disappointed……
I just will not and cannot each this show anymore. I watched and taped it all the time. There is nothing at all extraordinary or funny about this show. That would be because the star of the show was Cristina ferrare. Also, how not one little mention of her at all during the show is sinful. Don’t know why though because nothing bad happened to her . She was fired; that’s all! Just fired right after dolly wood!
Oh my what a way to go! Never again will I tune in! Bye bye bye!
i watch home and family everyday…i related to christina…. i think you made a big mistake hallmark…really sad…debbie is ok.. not as mature as christina…i hope you paid chrstina well…very sad…i would have sued you for age discrimination…yep