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 will miss Cristina very much!! She did add sparkle to the show and had such a good outlook on life. Very sweet person, hate to see her leave the show! I really liked Mark and her together and will sadly miss their silly jokes together!
I miss Cristina VERY much! There was something about Cristina’s mannerisms and speech that was so appealing. The young lady replacing her can’t match up. I wish the show continued success, but I won’t be watching it as often.
By the way, please keep Matt Iseman (sp?) … he’s a gem!!
WHAT WAS HALLMARK THINKING? Removing Cristina from Home and Family in such an unprofessional and heartless manner is unacceptable. We all love her as indicated by ALL the comments posted here. I predict Home and Family WILL NOT complete season 5 if they don’t bring Cristina back.
I watched the show because of Christina. She is a person who makes you feel good about yourself when you watch the show. She is genuine and has a bubbling personality. So sad she was replaced. I wish you well, Christina. The show is just not the same without you. I probably won’t turn it on anymore .
Although I like Debbie, I am not impressed with her as host.
Sad that they didn’t give Christina an opportunity to say goodbye to the show. Not very classy Hallmark Channel.
Probably won’t watch the show very much.
Is it possible there have been no comments in 24 hours? C’mom Christina fans!
I will not be watching anymore…there is NO reason to replace Christina. She and Mark were great together! NO reason to replace her.
I can’t believe Hallmark! What were you thinking? Christina and Mark are like a household name, one without the other? Can’t watch? They made this show what it is today! All the cast are a “family” and love them all, but the friendship between Mark and Christina was special! Always looking to go younger and sometimes you just do not need change! SO many people won’t watch now, because of just basically you were done, tossed a person aside because you could! SO disappointed!
no. will not watch anymore. like cristina too much. hope to see her on something else in the future. still love hallmark channel, but not this situation.
I am not watching anymore either.
So sad she is gone from show she was the reason I watched she is a warm and caring person that’s why I watched
The show won’t be the same without Christina. She added much culture and had lots of knowledge. She wasn’t all about herself. She put others first. It was evident she had a strong faith in God. Perhaps that’s the reason she was fired. She was vocal her faith especially at Christmas. I will be watching this Christmas to make sure your program stays faith based. You can count it! Merry Christmas! None of that Happy Holidays stuff! It’s all about baby Jesus!
I heard she was fired due to her age. I hope is was not because of her faith. Both reasons would be wrong. These are the reasons we like her. Hallmark you failed. Not watching anymore.
Ive also heard it was her age..check out Maria Shrivers page…i felt so bad for Christina when she talked about it…u could tell it hurt her.. and probably her Christian faith….also…and im not prejudiced about gays..but does it seem to anyone else that Ken Wingard talks more openly about his husband then he did when Christina was there..and I dont believe Christina would of been prejudiced either..she was so full of lover for eveyone/
I watched the Home & Family show every morning, even the repeat episodes , Mark and Christina had perfect chemistry for this show, Debbie is kind of annoying. So no I won’t be watching anymore, it’s just not the same without Christina. Bad choice guys!
Good luck Christina, where ever you go they will be lucky to have you!!
Not watching anymore
I haven’t been watching home and family since Christina has left.I enjoyed her so much. She was a beautiful person inside and out.She was funny and very entertaining,such a warm person.I feel her and Mark made a great team! What a disappointment not seeing her on the show anymore.I don’t feel Debbie gives to the show like Christina did. They say change is good and I agree in some circumstances,definally not in this case.Jeanie
You can’t replace an icon like Christina, I won’t be watching anymore.
Cristina is the reason I watched the show to begin with. Mark is too awkward and Debbie isn’t much better. Its time to watch something else. I hope to see Cristina doing another show in the future.