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?
Disappointed with the decision. We miss Christina. Bring her back.
I miss Christina. She was wonderful. I am sure she was let go in an age discrimination reason. No I won’t watch.
Will not watch without Christina. She brought class and fun to the show. Debbie is not the right choice. No personality like Christina
I have been watching the Home and Family Show for the last three to four years regularly. The main reason that I tuned in to the show was because of co-host Cristina Ferrari. . She brought grace, style, humor,,and charisma to the show.. She had a reaalness and transparency that is very rare in a talk show host. Though I wasn’t always sure of the relationship between she and Mark, I always enjoyed the banter between them. They seemed to have a fun chemistry…. I’ve tried to watch the show since Christina left, and it’s just not the same. Debbie… Read more »
How sad to hear that Hallmark made this decision! I finally found an informative show the whole family could watch that seems grounded in Christian values and now to hear the matriarch of this “family” is being replaced! I am deeply saddened. If it ageism was not behind this move, Hallmark needs to see that it definitely smacks of that! Cristina gave the show it’s heart, in my opinion. Her warm, caring attitude will be deeply missed. Debbie is a lovely young woman with a lot to offer, but she doesn’t have the maturity to be the “mom” or “loving… Read more »
I am very disappointed to read that Cristina was fired. I will now NOT watch the program. I find Debbie annoying. Cristina was perfect. Why was she fired? Age? Well, there’s a discrimination case. Every age liked her.
Sad !!
So disappointed Christina Ferrare is no longer on Home and Family. I LOVED her as a host on the show. She was wonderful, has a sense of humor and worked well with Mark. I wish you could bring her back. The show is lacking in warmth without her.
My husband and I were daily followers of the show since we retired.We felt that Cristina had much to offer especially for our age group.We will not watch the show on a daily basis.
Show is not as good without Christine she brought the Home feeling to the show. Really disappointed.
I was also very upset to hear that Christina had left the show. As a 62 year old woman, I found it refreshing and encouraging to see someone on TV host a program who was around my age. Christina was grace, fun, beauty and authentic and a great example of how we are better not older. I have no intention of watching anymore since the Hallmark Channel chose youth over family. Watch out Mark! You may be next!!!
Very interesting how Hallmark thinks of “Home and Family.” Just kick a family member aside and bring in a bimbo that is like watching a robot on speed. Debbie is not a good host and should be kept in the back room.
Disappointed with Hallmark H&F. Christina was a gracious, knowledgeable, and beautiful host. Not a good way to treat a family member. Her replacement is annoying. Difficult to watch the show now.
I do miss Cristina very much, but I do like everyone on the show and still watch daily because it’s the best on as far as I have seen, and clean!
I am very disappointed with the decision to replace Christina. Absolutely rediculous. She brought so much to the Home & Family show. Funny, gracious and sincere. I won’t be watching any longer. I feel that many of other viewers feel the same way. Such a bad choice.
I have a very difficult time watching the show. I miss Cristina, and sometimes I think they do things for all the wrong reasons. This is one. I can say that I won’t be watching as much hallmark as I did in the past. Will have to find a new place to watch great tv,, maybe Up or Insp.