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 watched because of Christina. She was so warm and inviting. She always made me want to watch. No will not be a regular watcher. Based on what I saw after Christina it did not have the same chemistry as when Christina was co-host.
Christina, I will miss your caring way, humor and sincere connections to all. What in the world is the net work thinking? No I will not watch!!!!
What was you thinking Home and Family ? Obviously you wasn’t thinking ! Christine was the life of the show , done a excellent job hosting , and to replace her for what a younger inexperience Debbie . Sorry it just does not makes sense to have someone as good as Christine then toss her out on the curb ! Wrong , So Wrong ….. Bye to the show for me as well !
Christina was a lovely host for Home and Family, but Mark Steines personality overshadowed hers.Which is a shame because she is so much better than him. I think sometimes he can be a real jerk.I will n o longer be watching this show. I agree with all the other viewers, Christine made the show and H&F was too underhanded in the way they dealt with this situation.
She was the reason I watched the show.
Cristina was the show. I too will join many others in not watching the show anymore. Best wishes to Cristina and her family.
While I do like Debbie a lot, I think Christina was the perfect host. Why on earth would you let her go? Horrible decision!!!!!
Christina was the best. She had way more class and because of her age, was way more wiser and I looked forward everyday to see her and what she thought of next. Debbie is NO Christina. I am about done with the show.
Why? I am sad that H&F made a decision to oust Christina. She brought some mojo to the show that Debbie M. just doesn’t bring. Was it age? If so, that is not cool. It is also not cool to oust someone without a proper explanation and a send off.
I am so sorry to hear that Cristina is not returning, I loved seeing her on the show . Such a classy lady, she will be missed! I love the show and all their ideas and do enjoy the the new host and hostess on the show. Here is to hoping she will hopefully make a return someday. Wishing you all the best Cristina on all your endeavors.
I will not watch the show again. I feel no one can replace what Christina brought to the show. She is not just another pretty face, SHE IS REAL! I feel the show has made a big mistake.
I am so upset that Cristina isn’t on the show anymore. I loved watching the show because she really new how to be a super co host. She is a real down to earth person. Everybody could relate to her. Wow her cooking segments were great. Plus she cared so much about making the show a success and trust me she did. It’s a shame because so many posts says that since she is gone people will not be watching anymore. I will change the channel and watch Dr. Oz now. So many people have had their lives changed since… Read more »
Since Christine is no longer on the show, I will no longer be a viewer. She was the best part of the show!
Really miss Cristina. The show is not as interesting without the cute banter between Mark and Cristina. She had a lot of talents and loved sharing them. Who is bringing the flowers to the set now?
I am an older woman in the work place and I have been seeing how corporations are looking at women over 55 as liability. Shame on Hallmark Channel for displaying the same behavior. Making us older women feel like we have nothing to contribute. Christina is a beautiful woman and I often would try to model my hairstyle like hers,loved how she dressed for our age group. Very classy and stylish lady. She has life experiences and wonderful achievements. Sorry but Debbie is just too fake for me. Who’s next to go considering ages, Kym, Sofie??
I completely agree. I’m an older woman in the work place and I see this sort of negativity often.