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 made the show that’s the only reason I watched it.. The show will fail without her
Christina, I miss you terribly. Thank you for helping me through the last year and half. I would not have made it without watching your love, kindness, fun, info, and entertainment. I was wondering if you were on vacation in Italy and started to search out answers on line. OMG! Hallmark Channel, you have lost your minds. Mrs. Ferrare is the Barbara Walters of your show. Please bring her back and place her in her rightful position. Christina, God bless you and your family. Thank you again. Hallmark channel please do the right thing.
P.S. I do not watch any more Hallmark movies, you really lost out getting rid of Cristina, what a boo boo for you Hallmark!
I am so upset that Cristina has left, she is a beautiful Lady with such class and she worked well with Mark, Debbie is good but there is just not that connection between them like Christina had. No I do not watch it as much as I use to, its just not the same. Put Christina on another show and put Mark with her, he’s so good and they were a good pair. I’m 80 years young and there is enough young teens doing shows we need more mature adults on TV and light hearted shows like Home & Family,… Read more »
At least 9 months ago, I commented to my husband to watch Debbie; how she played up to the ‘eye’ of the camera, how loud, and prissy she was, how often she brought her little one to the show, how she interrupted others talking – in other words; she was just rude ! She would even make faces behind others’ backs. She would hang on Mark when it was the 2 of them and I remembered her commenting how the both of them were host on Entertainment Tonight. We both came to believe there was a whole lot cooking behind… Read more »
I am so sad to see Christina gone. I loved her upbeat and excited personality. I dont know if I will watch any more. I really miss her there.
I am SO SO SO SO sad about Cristina being asked to leave H and F!!! I’ve tried to watch but I just doesn’t feel the same. Debbi is a darling person but Cristina has been my favorite,person on tv for a long long time!!! Sniff sniff…..I won’t be watching anymore! :(. We love you Cristina! You were so sweet, down to earth and kind when I brought my three grand daughters to the set as we are friends with Matt. Very vey best wishes!! Start your own show! We are here for you! XOXO
After my initial astonishment of Cristina’s dismissal now I’m angry….where is your heart hallmark? Do you realize how many baby boomers there are in this country. For some this was a family connection even though thru TV. It’s like You removed the matriarch and now it will all fall down…it was one of the few decent family shows all ages could watch. This is a bad example of how to treat mature adults. You are going along with that young is better attitude that is showing such disrespect to our aging population, when the seasoned adults should be teaching the… Read more »
Christina is class-what television needs now.
No,I’m not watching Home and Family without Cristina. Feels this was age discrimination and since I’m Cristina’s age, they don’t need me as a viewer and no longer shopping at Hallmark store.
That totally stinks! She was a great co-host and should have at least had a nice farewell show if they decided to replace her! Shame on you, Hallmark or Home and family for not giving your watchers respect, especially christina! And she is being so supportive of your decision. Wish you the best Christina, God Bless! I will no longer watch this show!
Don’t care for home and family anymore.
Show is no good without Christina. The new co host talks too fast and is not as wise as Christina. I will not be watching the show again. Christina gave the show character. Why would you replace such a great woman not to mention she can cook!
This show needs to go, especially without Cristina..4 hours of this non stop nonsense is awful..once the guest stars are interviewed, the rest needs to go..the “feature hosts” are usually really stupid and act so silly.
I think network is making a huge mistake. Debbie is fine for fill in. But Chritine is an Icon. She has such a heart for all types of guest that are on the show. It’s like separating Fred Astare & Ginger Rogers. The other dancers are good. But nothing like Mark & Chritine. The relationship they had was like brother and sister. SHE’S IREPLACABLE. It being the networks decision does not sit well with Home and Family viewer’s.
Charles & Kathy Dill
COLUMBUS Ohio
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