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 don’t watch Home and Family every day, but when I do, I miss Christina. I think she was the heart of the show, and it’s not the same without her.
I haven’t watched Home and Family very long, about a year. I really liked Christina and thought she and Mark were classy hosts. Hallmark I find it interesting how some viewers replies (under my reply) thought Christina was released due to what she said during the Dollywood segments. Since I have always thought your cards with Christian messages were better than others, you have made a tragic mistake that may cost your company in TV ratings and products. I personally liked Christina and her down to earth style; she was smart and beautiful, and very welcoming to the viewer audience.
I already did go out of m not to purchase a Hallmark card awhile ago. I look now for the Hallmark brand and also refuse to purchase it as my small protest over this issue. They don’t need my money and they certainly don’t care if I don’t buy their products, I know, because I’m just one person. But it still makes me feel a little better.
Debbie is too stuck on herself & not fun to watch or listen too. Christina was wonderful, warm & sincere. Miss her.
I have only recently discovered the firing of our dear Christina. I wondered along with others if she had taken an extended vacation or possibly had become very ill. What a disrespectful way to treat this lovely lady who was the heart and soul of the show. And what a terrible way to treat those of us who watched the show regularly…No explanation. No send off with the honor she deserved. I too suspect this all comes down to Christina’s open sharing of her faith which encouraged so many of us. How sad that ugly prejudices and religious discrimination trumped… Read more »
As an older woman myself I will not be watching Home and Family anymore. I used to really enjoy the show every morning with Christina at the helm. She is sorely missed. Debbie just does not bring the classiness that Christina did. Bad move, Hallmark.
I will not be watching Hallmark any longer nor purchasing Hallmark products. This is not a “Home and Family” I want to be a part of. Christina was a perfect fit and cant be secretly removed and replaced without blow-back!!!!!
Cristina made viewers feel as if they were visiting a good friend who was always so welcoming. She will be greatly missed. She always showed her knowledge of cooking & showed a sense of wonder at the talents of her guests.
I’ll bet Matt R. would LOVE to have fans who would make so much noise if he suddenly vanished!
I think Matt R. is treading on thin ice himself. His segments were never relevant or particularly entertaining anyway. I don’t pay any attention to him. He’s not a player in this game, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got shown the back door too.
Hopefully it’ll be more lively Cristina was boring and acted simply as if she was shocked or surprised by everything
I still believe Christina was fired over praying on the show at Dollywood. Jerking her off immediately, never to be heard from again looks suspicious to me. The timing gives it away. If someone doesn’t like the prayer, disregard it. No one forced them to agree with it. I don’t agree with everything I see on TV, but I’m not for censorship. It’s WRONG to treat a beloved co-host that way. I don’t agree with the statement that it is none of the viewers’ business. IT IF WEREN’T FOR THE VIEWERS, THEY WOULDN’T HAVE A SHOW!
I just read the post from Margaret. Great catch. I never connected the prayer and the QUICK departure. I am so very disappointed in Hallmark. Those who are ashamed of Jesus will know the truth one day. Jesus is Lord.
This is so sad. Could this be an age issue? Is HM trying to reach a younger target audience by bringing Debbie in verses Christina? Bad move for the show and for the audience. I can see the 5th Season being the last season.
YUP!
Do not like Debbie as co host. Show not the same without the heart and soul Christina. HOW COULD THEY LET HER GO. BAD MOVE!!!!!!won’t watch anymore
How sad. I prefer Christina. Her style and wisdom made her so much easier to relate to.
I feel the letting go of host Cristina was a bad move. She was the heart and sole of the show. Her replacement Debbie does not bring the same feeling to the show that Cristina did. She was OK as a member of the show but as the female co host has not brought the family to the show that Cristina did. I don’t have the feeling to watch it any more. Also the way you let her go was bad. She gave a lot to the show and to just cast her to the side with out a proper… Read more »
I really didn’t know for sure why Cristina wasn’t on the show till just now and I can’t believe she was treated this way. I loved to watch her and felt see was really genuine and such a warm hearted person. I can’t say that I have enjoyed the show since she left. I turn to reruns now really not the same since she left. What a loss!