There is some drama brewing over at Home & Family. After being fired from the Hallmark Channel daytime show, Cristina Ferrare is now defending her replacement host Debbie Matenopoulos.
The news of Ferrare’s exit came seemingly out of nowhere earlier this month. Alongside Mark Steines, she had been co-host of the current program since 2012.
Since the news broke, many have criticized Hallmark Channel for hiring Matenopoulos only because she’s younger than Ferrare. Earlier this week, Maria Shriver said she was “ticked off” that the network fired Ferrare because she was “too old.” While this hasn’t been confirmed, Ferrare did recently post a picture of herself and Matenopoulos, saying she cares about the new co-host and the decision was only business.
Take a look at Maria Shriver’s video and Ferrare’s post below:
What do you think? Do you think Hallmark fired Ferrare for being “too old”? Do you like Debbie Matenopoulos as the new co-host?
Christina: You’re a class act; so wonderful of you to stand up for your friend. However, the bigger picture is not being addressed here. You can’t disregard this as just business. I also agree with another fan of yours who commented on the disappointment on all your other “family” members at Home and Family who let the sacrificial lamb be taken. Also,, we as fans, were lied to by “the business.” That is so wrong in every way you look at it.
I just found out this morning what happened to Cristina. This happened to me several years ago in the Mental Health field. I tried to defend myself through the courts but to no avail. Hallmark always represented family and caring. Shame on Hallmark corporate. I always watched this channel 24/7 which is no longer the case. No I do not feel Debbie is a good fit. I am 72 years old an do not relate to her. God bless Cristina we miss you.
I just watched Maria Shriver’s video, and I want to say that she is so great saying all the wonderful comments she made in defense of Cristina. And I totally agree, I will no longer watch the Hallmark Channel, or buy anything related to Hallmark. Shame on you Hallmark!
I sadly will no longer be watching Home and Family. A very bad decision by Hallmark!
The show needs Christina. She made the show what it was. I can not watch anymore,it is destroyed. W/o her
It’s great to take the high road as Cristina has but for those of us who have been forced out of a job it only brings out the injustice of being set aside. Debbie is fine and one day may find herself in the same place – so much for family. This is only one example in a long line of so called friends unwilling (or unable due to lack of a backbone) to defend what is right. So let’s not just focus on Debbie but on all the other “family” members that were unwilling to stand up and beside… Read more »
If ALL the other “family” members had stood up for Cristina, she most likely would not have been let go and the show would have been finished. As it I, I truly believe the show will be off the air soon. Good Luck to you Cristina in whatever you do in the future. You don’t need Hallmark, they need YOU!
I think I it is horrible that we believe woman are too old to add to society and tv shows. I am embrassed and ashamed that Hallmark replaced Cristina.
A man would NOT BE TREATED THIS WAY WHY TO WE ALLOW WOMEN TO BE TREATED AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS.
I will no longer support Home and Family and I told all my friends about the change. I am disappointed in Home and Family.
I do not like debbie! Was tired of her stuck on herself attitude a long time ago! She’s very fake with the look at me pretend to cry bull. I’m going back to gac and cmt.
I am sad to see Christina go. She was a hometown girl from Cleveland
I have never been a fan of Debbies. I miss the love between Mark and Christina
I have watched Home and Family long enough to know that Cristina Ferrare likes younger men she was constantly flirting with the young male guests telling them how good looking and handsome they were I have not heard Cristina’s defenders mention this or did they just not notice her flirting with the younger male guests maybe Home and Family got tired of her constant batting her eyes and flirting with the younger male guests!
Sound like a little jealously on your part. I think she is just a very compassionate and empathetic person, with a big heart, who loves everyone. Seems to me she loves her husband and family very much, so much that she wouldn’t jeopardize losing her own family. All aside she didn’t deserve what happened to her. Maybe you need to take a look at her replacement, the I love me, know it all and look at me Debbie.
I was a long time viewer of Home & Family…My love for the show began during back when it was on The Family Channel…Long before Mark and Debbie came on the scene…Cristina WAS the heart of the show….She embodied warmth and she was the glue that held the family together….They have changed the show so it’s not even watchable anymore…The feeling is not the same….I applaud Maria Shriver for speaking out and exposing Hallmark and more importantly standing by her friend…Good for her! Sadly, not only has Hallmark taken away our show, but they are trying to take our voices… Read more »
The people at Home & Family seem to think that anyone who shares their views about how they dislike the changes made to the show is not a real person so let me begin by saying that I am indeed a real person. In my opinion the way that Cristina Ferrare was let go from the show could have been handled better. I think many fans of Home & Family were really shocked at the shabby and awkward way the change in hosts was handled. As a viewer from the beginning of the show, I did feel let down by… Read more »
Karen,
You should post this on your Facebook page or out somewhere else where more people can read it. It is probably the best one I have read.
It’s so nice to be able to post somewhere without fear of being deleted. H&F Facebook page has been purposefully deleting any comments in reference to how much Cristina is missed, why she was fired, Maria Shriver video, etc. Hallmark tried to deceive the viewers for almost 3 weeks as to where Cristina was by saying she was on “vacation”, which we all now know was a lie Now they are trying to manipulate their FB page to be all pro-Debbie and how much everyone loves the show. What IS the so-called “other side of the story”? Cristina coming back… Read more »
Not only are they trying to make it all pro Debbie – there were Rangers who were supposedly Debbie’s husbands friends making horrible comments towards viewers who were voicing their outrage over Cristina’s firing….If Hallmark can’t take the heat, they shouldn’t try to have been so underhanded with things…Do they think because you are over 45, that you are brain dead and stupid? It seems like each week more and more horrible things come out about Hallmark…They are being exposed for what they are and there is no damage control, they just keep making it worse! I think they counted… Read more »
.Hallmark and Home and Family lied to loyal viewers for 3 weeks…. Said she was on vacation even though we knew better and that something was not right….each day for 3 weeks lie after lie after lie….They say 1 person cannot make a show but 1 person can make a show….Cristina welcomed you into her home each day with a smile filled with warmth love and acceptance..she is the glue that holds us all together….The chemistry between her and Mark was undeniable…..Since she has been gone the show has lost its sparkle….The chemistry is so fake and forced between Mark… Read more »
If she was fired because of her age, that is aka age discrimination which I believe is against the law. Ms Ferrare gave the show so much class and I have stopped watching it because she is no longer there. Ms Matenopoulos is ok but no Cristina. Bring her back and have 3 hosts.