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 have stopped watching your show. I have done this for more than one reason. 1. Because Christina is gone. 2. Because I feel that your show had has been to political lately. I also think that you replaced Christina with Debbie so you could be racially diverse.
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dear woody, did this have anything to do with christina’s faith? one reason i loved watching this show and told others about it, was because of the freedom to speak about God, Jesus, faith- on this show and prayers…. i hope that this did not influence your decision. i enjoy everyone who are regulars, nothing against debbie, but christina brought a balance to the “ages” diversity, etc. and i would almost bet that most of your audience is at least over 40…. and beyond:) i still enjoy the show, but she is greatly missed.
I am so sad. I have been watching this show since it first started about 15 years ago. It’s just not the same. I have been waiting for Christina to return. Don’t think I will continue to watch.
I also had to Google to find out about Christina. I always enjoyed the show because of her. You have made a mistake in letting her go. I have tried to watch the New Show and something is missing and it is Christina. I will not watch.it and friends have said the same. Why fix something when it’s working. The new girl is just full of herself and is hard to watch
I Loved Christina Ferrara and not seeing her I thought she was sick and coming back. I’m not sure if I’ll continue to watch seeing that they made her leave the show!!
Debbie certainly does not have the sparkle of Christina and I will give her a try, but don’t think she will hold my interest.
I’m in shock right now! The only reason I watched the show was because of Christina! I will not be watching Home and Family any more! It seems in the USA once you reach a certain age you’renot VALUED! I’m extremely disappointed in HALLMARK!!!
So sorry about Cristina leaving Home and Family. The show seems flat without her. I hope they bring her back. She was a beacon of light in the show and the light has gone out.
I liked Christina! Why replace her especially with one that is in the same show. That is a stab in the back. Hire someone no a afliaded with Home & Family. So Not Right! Was it because of age? We as viewers should be told the truth. Not a nice thing to do without an explanation .
If you have fired her you have been made a mistake. We need a women on the show that people our age can relate to.(50 to 70). I don’t really know if I will keep watching. They are all young and out of touch with my generation.
Not watching from our house to yours anymore.
I have been missing Christina. So I searched why she left. I am disappointed that she is not returning. I like home and family, but it is not the same for me. One of the things I love about her, she is relatable to her audience. She comes across as not scripted, more natural. If she would start her own show, and it was on the same time as home and family, I would watch Christina. I think some network or Netflix or Hulu needs to design a show around her. She has that personality that is more like home.… Read more »
I would love to have her on Netflix. That network is more popular then HuLu.
What was Hallmark thinking by replacing Christini.when you have some good and special you do not try to change it. She and Mark were the only reason I watched Hime and Family every day. You need to bring her back asap!
Woody ( director of show) Poor decision firing Christina. Let’s be honest…maybe it was a politically correct decision due to Christina’s religious spirit on your show. What a shame that we have to be subjected to a generic version of Gulianna Rancic. Debbie is nice enough…but no substance to her personality. I would reconsider your decision and maybe you fired the wrong duo. Mark is obnoxious….he also has been recycled too many times starting from his ET days with Mary Hart. At least Christina had a very interesting past…which unfortunately she never had the chance to share with us viewers… Read more »
Please bring back Cristina. I began watching the show because I can relate with her. As many people have said she was the calming CHRISTIAN presents and I do not see that anymore!!! I am a senior citizen and she set my day off on a warm Christian beginning. And made it a very good day. I also believe you should have at the very least given her a good bye on the show??!????!!!!! With all she did for that show you will not have a huge group of people who miss her and won’t be watching any more. SHAME… Read more »