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 was the star that made the show worth watching. The new host is an ambitious young woman, one of thousands. After being a daily viewer I found other better things to do with my time.
I am sorry that Christina was taken off the show. I have watched & enjoyed her for years. Why do these networks need to fix something that isn’t broke?
How disappointing Christina is no longer co-hosting Home and Family. Her warmth and down to earth personality can’t be replaced. Debbie’s okay but she doesn’t hold a candle to Christina. A real loss for the show and for viewers.
Wow they should not have let Cristina go. She is the reason I watched. She has class and letting her go puts the nails In the coffin for the show.
Since Christina was too “old” for the show then I must be to.sorry that I won’t be watching it and sponsors I guess my money is too old as well
This is EXACTLY what I was thinking. Christina brought class to the show. Now everyone is so goofy. It’s just different. Hallmark has ruined a good thing, once it was done, it couldn’t be taken back. Sadly, she is gone forever….and so am I.
I really enjoyed Christina & was wondering if she was on vacation. I think she was a great co-host with Mark and should have stayed on. Poor decision. Sincerely Joan Milanowski
I like Christina and can’t understand why they would let her go. Being summer I haven’t been able to watch every morning, but I turned on this morning and I automatically missed Christina. So I logged onto internet to find out what had happened, only to find that she has been replaced. I think they will regret it. I think Debbie has enough jobs and while she was ok with what she contributed, I don’t think she can fill Christina’s shoes. I won’t be watching any more.
I am so sorry to say the show does NOT retain my interest without Christina. I did think she was on vacation too but still watched, recorded it everyday. But the last few episodes with Debbie and Mark just seemed so silly that I deleted them and waited for Christina to come back. When I heard she had been replaced I stopped recording the show but continued to watch. Well…I am currently searching for a new “morning show” to watch/record. Debbie is cute and I did like her segments but she is not right as cohost of show with the… Read more »
I liked Christina better than the women on the program now. She was more down to earth and enjoyable to watch. The other ones talk too much and interrupt each other constantly.
You are so right. I will not watch the show anymore. Too fake and the same as all the others. Christina made the show.
I loved Christina. I was worried that she was sick. I am happy to know she is not. She is a genuinely warm and beautiful person. I have been watching the show since I retired 2 years ago. I have been hoping she would return but I don’t know that I will continue. The warmth is no longer there. I will miss her.
I was very disappointed that Christina had been replaced. I have been a loyal viewer since the show began and have tried to watch the recent shows with the new host but do not enjoy it on so many levels. Christina is a special women that stands out among a sea of women that seem to think that loud and pushy is always a good thing. I hope that Home and Family continues for those that still like it and for the sake of the rest of the cast of the show but I will not be watching. The show… Read more »
Christina was my favorite. She was an very important pull and contributor for the success of the show. I am very sad to learn that she’s not longer part of the show. Good luck to the show, sincerely. I personally won’t tune in as often. I also think the new co-host will do just fine.
I do not care for either host now. I really enjoyed Christina. She really didn’t explain why she is no longer on the show but from reading others’ comments it sounds as though it was due to age. How ridiculous if that’s true!!! In any case I won’t be watching any more. I love this shows format and it’s the only of its kind in this area so it’s dissappointing. But I can always hope that they come to their senses.
I make sure to change the channel every morning when this show comes on. Debbie is irritating and I will not support a show who fires someone because they think she’s too old. I hope Cristina sues them for age discrimination.
I love to watch Home and Family whenever I have days off from work or on Holiday. How disappointing to find out Cristina was replaced and the way it was poorly handled. Don’t really have the incentive to want to watch it anymore. Everything in TV land and Hollywood is all about youth. Home and Family, really wish people who work have a chance to watch your shows and catch up in the evening. Would be nice if you could repeat your shows in the evenings, not the next day from the previous days’ shows. Just saying…
I think Hallmark’s decision to remove Cristina is contrary to the spirit and the values that the network supposedly stands for. Cristina brought integrity, class, humility, and a light-hearted sense of humor to the show. I no longer watch Home & Family since Cristina’s departure – it just isn’t the same anymore. I wish Cristina all the best during this difficult time. I am confident that new, even better opportunities will present themselves to this talented, charming lady. I would like to see her co-hosting with Gail King or perhaps hosting her own show…
Well said, Brian!