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 miss seeing Christine on the show. I like Debbie but feel that the show has changed in tone which is not as interesting as before. Would really like to know the thinking behind the sudden change.
We’re all sad, and we all have our theories, but my guess is that $$$ were the basis for this decision. Don’t let the name Home & Family fool you, the execs all worship the bottom line.
Joyce
I am very sorry to hear that Hallmark replaced Cristina Ferrare on Home & Family. Sometimes I wonder if the people running the channel know what makes people watch the show. Cristina was so genuine and her relationship with her cohost was so genuine. Her cooking skills are undeniable. I don’t think the powers that be understand what she brought to the show.
Not happy that they replaced Cristina Ferrare I will stop watching the show !
On Aug. 30th, Margaret Bartlet posted that she thought Christina was pulled off because she prayed on the Dollywood trip. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. Nothing scares Hollywood more than religion. It wasn’t so much that Christina was older and Debbie was younger, they were making money on the show and Mark and Christina were a hit. It was something more serious, and I think if anything would make those amoral jerks in charge freak out enough to do this, it probably was that Christina invoked the name of God on the show. Religion… Read more »
Yes, I am sad Cristina will no longer be on the show. This does not mean I don’t like Debbie, I do, but Cristina’s personality just gave the Show that special touch. Younger isn’t always better. She and Mark really fit well together. They made a great team.
I have not been able to watch the show for a couple months and just tuned back in to find my favorite person, Christina, had been let go.. I will miss Christina’s wonderful attitude and cheerfulness…as they say “”out with the old in with the new or should I say with the young! you will be missed by many of us Christina.. God will make way for something new in your life..prayers to you
What!!? Are you people CRAZY!!??!! I am shocked to hear Christina was fired! Yep, definitely a deal breaker! I won’t rant and rave, I agree with a part of what others have said. I’m just adding my vote that I will not be watching H&F any more. So sad. I’m broken heahearted. And Christina, if you read this, it really is them and not you! I’m praying for you! I hope you find a network with more intelligence and do another show. We will definitely watch you!
Hallmark, Really? You fired Christina and replaced her
With Debbie? One of the reasons I enjoyed Home and Family was to see the interaction between Christina and
Mark! Needless to see, I will no longer be watching the show! Major mistake, Home and Family Execs!!
I am so sad! The Chemistry Between Mark and Christina was amazing. I love the cast and crew but Christina Ferrara and Mark made this show family.I will no longer be watching.
SORRY TO SEE CHRISTINA GO, WILL MISS HER, THE SHOW IS NOT THE SAME WITH OUT HER. THINK IT IS A BIG MISTAKE
Debbie is way to perky and Christina has class…I’m sorry she is gone. It’s not a show I want to watch any more
I was disappointed to learn of the change! Cristina brought such a warm, engaging, and inviting spirit to the show. My question is WHY did they fire her? Nothing against Debbie but, inquiring minds want to know WHY? May God bless and keep you Cristana is my prayer as He open doors for you that no man can close, GREATER is coming!
It is believed that they let her go because she said a prayer on the Dollywood episode.
Terrible decision! The show lacks the warmth and maturity
Christina brought. Debbie is too spastic and loud. She makes us nervous. We still watch but don’t bother to catch up if we miss a show like we once did. Youth doesn’t always make things better.
I’m insecure Christina ferrare very bad I am not as much as a fan of the show as I was her personality with Mark made the show Debbie Kidd not a place Christina please do something