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 have only watched a couple of episodes of Home and Family since the change. I feel like this has turned into something geared toward younger people. I felt like I could relate to Christina being closer to her age. I felt like there was something for all ages. But I don’t feel that way anymore. Also I don’t think it was right, after they made their decision, that they didn’t give her a huge going away episode. She poured her heart and soul into it. Let’s not forget she was on the original and grew the popularity. Nothing against… Read more »
I no longer watch the show. Just not the same without Christina. I will not support a program when I think someone has been mistreated. Shame on Hallmark for this unkind treatment of such a beautiful person. My opinion is that Christina was the heart of the show!
Since Christina reads all of the comments, I want to voice my opinion. I, like everyone else, know that I won’t make much of s difference but I believe I am like most people in this day and age who work from home. My tv used to constantly be tuned to the Food Network or Cooking Channel. About a year ago, I tuned into the Hallmark Channel when I saw Christina’s face! Oh wow! I hadn’t seen her on tv in ages. Since that day, I have watched the Home and Family Show religiously! I thought Christina was on vacation… Read more »
I loved the show. Watched every day. But have not watched since Cristina left. I like Debbie okay she’s cute and younger which is probably what the execs wanted but doesn’t hold a snake to Cristins as a co-host. Sorry but my opinion is that Hallmark made a very big mistake and I was very surprised they would do this in the matter they did.
Shame on you Hallmark “heads” – skewing to a younger audience is so passé now! We live longer and we still spend money; listen up advertisers! Hallmark, you’re showing your ageism off big time…shame on you! Cristina was the perfect balance with Mark, Debbie, etc. I stayed with a more expensive cable company in my area ONLY because they carried Hallmark and ONLY to watch Cristina on H&F. Well, my bill will now be lowered…I’m done! You’ve disrespected a lot of viewers with your ridiculous decision!
I’m sorry, but I have no interest in the show any longer. It’s just not the same for me. Christina is a lovely woman with class galore, a winning personality and talent in many areas. I have nothing against Debbie, but I don’t particularly care what’s “on trend”. It honestly seems as if everyone is trying too hard and I’ve just lost all interest. I also don’t care for the way Christina’s leaving was handled. It said to all women over 40 that we really don’t matter any more…..Hallmark apparently wants to attract a younger audience and felt this was… Read more »
Loved Christina, change is an uncomfortable feeling to live with but we all must live with the decision. It is a great show, yes, Christina cannot be replaced everyone knows that, but change is happening. Support the show!
Why should anyone support a show or a network that lied to millions of viewers for almost two weeks? Yes, we must live with the decision and change is inevitable – so is our decision to change the channel and not watch a show or network that pretends to be something they are not.
Christina away the reason I watched the show
I understand change but they way they did it was under handed. If they would have been up front- told the truth and had a send off I believe everyone would have been more excepting. No, I do not watch it any longer. We’ve been lied to and that has broken a trust.
Please cancel this poor excuse for Home and Family. What a misnomer that name is
I have received a link to this website day for several weeks now asking if I have seen it. I assure you I have and I am overwhelmed by the amount of positive and supportive comments reacting to me being let go from Home & Family. I have read every single one and I want to take this opportunity to let everyone who took the time to write know how much I appreciate them. Please allow me to share this with you, I am doing a Face Book Live every week with my dear friend Maria Shriver who started an… Read more »
Thank you Christina! For everything! I will definitely buy your book.
I no longer watch the show. Not a fan of Debbie. It is just not the same without Christina.
I feel that Hallmark and the Home and Family show treated Cristina horribly…Cristina has taken a higher road than I have, she has been a wonderful hostess on the show and has been nothing but gracious since she was fired…many, many people, like myself, love her like a friend because of her genuine, sweet personality….when I found out from Cristina’s facebook post that she was fired, I had a suspicion that her firing was due to her age and later found out that her age was part of the reason Debbie replaced her….that makes me boiling mad!! Baby Boomers, like… Read more »
I do not watch or record the show any longer. I watched and recorded everyday unti Christina was let go. Shame on them for doing this.
Well, here goes. I loved watching the original show and was glad Home & Family got brought back. I watched for the recipes, home improvement ideas, decorating, and gardening. The show evolved to include more “star” interviews and silly games. I don’t care who is promoting their new movie or book and I got tired of watching someone else play a game. Yes — I preferred Cristina’s maturity over Debbie’s fluff but, quite honestly, the show lost me as a faithful viewer back when they changed the format to be like all the other “star-power” shows that are already on.… Read more »