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?
I no longer watch Home and Family since Christina was fired. Not sure what transpired there but maybe if that was handled better or if I knew this was her decision it would have been OK. As it stands, I have no intention of watching the show anymore.
I don’t see my comment from this morning that I miss Cristina. Don’t care for Debbie.
Since Cristina left, I am Not watching Home and Family any more. Loved seeing Cristina everyday. So calming. Debbie is WAY too aggressive and loud. I change the channel even when the commercial for H&F comes on. BIG mistake letting Cristina go!!
I miss her & hope she gets a bigger & better gig asap! I’m with you. Deb’s too agressive. I feel like the air leaves the room when she enters.
I miss Cristina. I do watch the Show but fast forward about half of it. Debbie is not for real.
I was sorry to see Christina was gone. Debbie is ok as a contributor, but it is harder and more aggressive. The thing I like about Cristina is that she is a soft, kind person.
Not watching again after letting Cristina go. Big mistake.
I no longer watch home and family…the only reason I watched was Christina… bad decision…
I am not watching home and family —————I FEEL WHAT UNCLE WOODIE DID WAS WRONG I use to look so forward to watch it every day since I have a problem walking IT WAS A BIT OF FRESH AIR TO HEAR CRISTINA TALK ABOUT HER MOM AND NANA YOU ADDRESSED NOT BEING PERFECT STILL MATTERED ———————-HOW WARM YOUR THOUGHTS ARE AND WITH A LOVING MANNER MADE ME FEEL SPECIAL————–I FOR ONE AM SO VERY SORRY YOU ARE NOT THERE MY GOOD WISHES AND PRAYERS FOLLOW YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
I love the Hallmark Channel, always thought their political views were different from other channels. In this case you did exactly what any other channel … I will NEVER watch the show again…
Oh I am so so sorry to hear Christina wont be back with Home and Family.. I will not watch anymore… I loved her from the first time I saw her and was hooked on her first Home and Family show… watched it everyday and so with this one too… She has such a sweet spirit and loves everyone… God bless her and her family… I thank her for all the years she has been such a blessing to me.. Keep listening to that still small voice dear lady,God just may have something He wants you to do for such… Read more »
Christina is the main reason all my friends and I watch “Home and Family”! We will no longer watch. There are many of us. She reaches professional women of a certain age. Her replacement is nice but not the right fit.
just found out christina was not on vacation, but in stead, let go. no good bye, nothing! shame on you hallmark for hurting your viewer this way. she carried the show, now, to find out how it went down, boooooooooooooo! you lost my viewer support .i will not watch any more. good luck Christina on your future ventures. I wonder what movies I will find on tcm from now on. it will not be anything from the hallmark channel, I cant support you any more, you don’t consider me as a valued viewer.
The main reason that I watched the show was because of Christina. She was a “real” person, and I admired her so much. She seems to be a genuinely kind, sincere person, and never tried to impress anyone. I watched the show whenever I could or recorded it. Debbie, while I do like her, was ok for a quick segment, but she is too bubbly to have on the air for the whole show. Probably won’t watch the show anymore. I’m more Christina’s age and it really upset me that you would just let someone go that has been a… Read more »
Unbelievable! Why Have You Not Taken Into Account The HUGE Audience That Loves Christina?!? Listen To Your Audience & Give Us Who & What We Want!
Just read a posting by Christine Ferrari dtd August 12th. I think everyone should read it to find out what is happening in Christine’s life post H & F. It made me feel a little better but I am still bitter against H & F and Hallmark. Shame, shame on you.