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?
I like the show with Cristina much better. It doesn’t have the same happy and cohesive vibe. Debbie is nice enough but leaves a lot to be desired. I an many of my friends have stopped watching due to the firing of Cristina!
I am so sad that Christina is gone. I am also sad that my favorite morning show will no longer be one I watch. I am so upset that age and experience is not valued on Home and Family. A real family doesn’t dispose of its older members. Shame on you, Hallmark.
I tried to watch this morning and I thought I was watching an old episode of the view. I had to turn the channel. The show has lost it’s style and grace. It has taken a turn in the wrong direction. Sorry, I agree with Maria. The ageism is apparent.
So sad that Hallmark let Christina go. Not sure what they are thinking! Wow!
I thought Christina was just on a long vacation, and I had been wondering when she would be back. The warm feelings of the show is now gone. Did this show really think young women or younger men watch this show. If only the young watch movies or shows, then handsome men like James Denton and even Mark would be out- let’s face it- they are “over the hill” too. Good luck Christina, I’ll be waiting for your on show soon, hopefully a cook show.
I really miss Christina. Firing for being too old is discrimination
Bring back Cristina and have her and Kym Douglas as the 2 hosts. Now that would be entertaining and I would start watching again.
Dear Merka, You are absolutely right, Cristina and Kym would make excellent co-hosts. Mark is a back-stabber, who has his own agenda. He also has acquired himself a gig, replacing Bob Eubanks, as co-host of the Rose Bowl Parade as of 1/1/17. He and Debbie make a good team of immature hosts, Mark makes stupid remarks and Debbie is phoney, with her incessant crying an overreacting to everything. Does Hallmark think the viewing audience Is so ignorant that we can’t see through this farce of a show ever since Cristina was booted out, which, I’m sure, we ALL hope will… Read more »
I agree with you over the crying. It seemed over done.
sorry meant fired
I think it’s terrible that Christine was firefighters looked forward to seeing her everyday and enjoyed watching her cook .ill miss her show could never be thes same without her.
Showing no regard for Cristina or the Home and Family audience, and after years of watching, I hung on until after the first half hour today, July 26. I have subsequently deleted Home and Family from my weekly DVR schedule. Deletions include the Hallmark channel, products and movies. Frazier and Hallmark have shown themselves to be anything but a loving family. In reality, Ken and Orly were the only two segments worth watching anymore, but I will bid them adieu as well.
Big mistake on hallmark for letting Christina go what a lost!!! She was the glue for the show only thing Debbie can do is fake smile I don’t like the show anymore taking it out of my dvr
Shame on you Hallmark and Woody. Christina was the heart of this great show. Everyone seemed like a wonderful family and you killed off the matriarch. Can’t watch anymore because it’s like mourning the loss of a loved one. Age in this country is not celebrated and cherished. She brought class and dignity to the show. All the other youngsters are still great, but I can’t watch anymore..too sad.
I like Debbie, but not in Christina’s place as co host. If Hallmart had taken a poll of the age group watching & enjoying Hallmart they would have found a mostly middle aged & older group of people. Firing Christina because they thought she was too old was a great mistake! She & Mark had a good chemistry together on the show. We want Christana back!! And leave everyone else in their place as well. Christina added the HOME in Home & Family.
I’m very disappointed in hallmark channel.They call themselves THE FAMILY CHANNEL, imagine a family w/o our older generation parents, grandparents. I believe the age was an enhancement and showed women how you can age beautifully and remain active. This is a time of self betterment not hide and dispose of. Shame on hallmark.
Just can’t watch anymore. Debbie is okay in small amounts but not as a cohost. What an error on Hallmarks part. Too bad you booted the best part of the show.
I have stopped watching sorry Christina is gone. With Debbie there is something not right with her as host. If anyone Mark should have gone due to he brings nothing to the show his so called joking with Kim and other actions are annoying . Christina is the reason I watched . Debbie is fake superficial and not mature enough. I know of 3 you lost due to the change. Christina you are showing such grace maturity in a very hard situation.i am sorry the network does not see with maturity women have plenty to offer.