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?
Christina was the “HEART and SOUL of the show. It is sad that the “powers .that be” showed no respect to Christina OR THE VIEWERS”. I have removed the show from auto record.
Christina was the most authentic one on the show. GOOD BYE!
I also will not ever watch the show again . What an awful way ti treat Christina who has such grace and beauty,That’s not they way you treat family. shame on you mark for only thinking of yourself and not having her back.
I will no longer watch home and family. Christina was the best.
I’m very unhappy about that you let her go.I will not watch. Have Debbie to stop looking at the camera so weird on the show!!!!
Where is the post I sent?
Cristina can never be replaced, she was the reason the show was a success and I will not be watching the show unless she comes back.
Love Christina, she has such a warm and sincere personality, loved the show because of her. Probably won’t be watching anymore. Good luck to you Christina, and many blessings.
Christina was the HEART and SOUL of the show. I’m disheartened by the decision made by the “Powers that be”. It appears “they” have no respect for Christina or the VIEWERS or they would not have handled their decision in the manner they chose. I have deleted the auto record of the program. GOOD BYE!
She will be missed ! Great chemistry between her and Steines ! Show will not be the same without her . Best wishes to her on her future endeavors .
I am very disappointing that Cristina is not on the show. She really made the show.
I’m very disappointed Christina is no longer on home and family. I’ve been waiting to watch it when she comes back, only to see that she’s no longer on it. I like Debbie, but not as a co-host. Christina was the mother of the show and so loving and her warmth spread to everyone. I’m not as interested in it anymore.
To coin a phrase from Pretty Woman…BIG MISTAKE! I was infuriated when I FINALLY found out what happened to Christina. What is wrong with TV executives? I’m sure there weren’t getting complaints about Christina’s performance on the show. She was the Heart of the show. The good Ole boys thinking that younger is better is SOOOOO wrong on so many levels. It makes me sick to see this happen to one of the few shows on TV that clearly had the warmth of a true family. Now it’s like just another talk show. Debbie does not give off the same… Read more »
Will miss her.
Christina was the heartbeat of the show. The sneaky, casual way they announced that she was being replaced by Debbie was wrong. She should have been acknowledged with a farewell show or appearance. We were wondering if she was sick or a member of her family was sick.
Cannot believe the announcement was so cold. Treating her as though she doesn’t exist anymore. Very disappointed! Have been a big fan of the show for many years. Very Very disappointed with Hallmark.
Miss Christina!!!!!!
POOR CHOICE!! CHRISTINA WAS LIKE OUR BEST FRIEND…WE WILL MISS SEEING HER EACH DAY, PLEASE BRING HER BACK…WE NEED HER TO START OUR DAY, AND ENCOURAGE US BY BEING SO POSITIVE AND REAL!! WE LOVE YOU CHRISTINA!!