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?
As annoying as Christina can be (like having to win every challenge) Debbie just sucks. She is trying too hard and there just is no chemistry. You can’t fake that. Shocked-they should have left it alone.
Network should b sued for age discriMinato & the decision maker fired at once.
I just started watchin the show..I watch it every day now.. I hate that Christina is not comin back. I do not like that attention hogging Debbie. ..Always touching everybody an she acts like an idiot most of the time.. Idk if I’ll watch it all the time now when she’s there ALL THE TIME.
I am so disappointed that Cristina is not on the show any longer. I don’t know if I will continue to watch – I like Debbie but I like Cristina more. What’s the matter: was she too old for Hallmark? Everybody seemed so close – who made this stupid decision? Sometimes I find Mark irritating – but he and Cristina worked well together, I thought. Please bring CF back; she was the was the heart of the show. I just don’t seem too interested in Hallmark channel anymore. I hope Cristina finds another venue for her talent. Good Luck CF.
Would you remove a mother from her family? That is what you are doing to Home and Family. Cristina is the cohesion that unites this family. She was the heart and soul of the show. I have removed my future recordings.
Christina appeared to be the “glue” of the show and in my humble opinion Debbie is just FLUFF. What is Hallmark thinking? I am in shock, what are they thinking? AGAIN was age a factor??????? Have seen it so many times before. Bad move Hallmark, so disappointed with you. I’m sure the powers to be will never see this; but it is off my chest. I just want to cry. Not so sure I can enjoy the show further.
Probably not going to eep watching it, Christina was the best part! Debbie M is okay but she’s not as god and in the kitchen she’s kind of a dud compared to Christina. Not happy with Hallmarks decision! We’ll miss you Christina!
My wife and I watch Home and Family EVERYDAY (!!!) but won’t anymore. Christina’s spirit was the life of the show and made us feel ‘at home’. Debbie is younger and beautiful… but doesn’t have the warmth of a ‘mom’ figure.
I am disappointed you have replaced Christina. She was always the beautiful co host who added class to the show. Her chemistry with Mark will be difficult to replace and certainly should not be Debbie who I find abrasive. Too bad I will no longer watch and it was a show i looked firward to warching since the days of Gary Collins. Bad move!
I think you made a big mistake replacing Christina. I will no longer watch the show. If you needed a change why didn’t you replace him? Big mistake.
Hallmark is going in the same direction, it seems, as the rest of the world – to hell in a hand-basket. The firing of Cristina is the worst decision they could have made. And the way they did it is appalling. Cristina WAS the show – the HEART of it ALL. It hurts to watch it now – I don’t thing I will be able to continue. And don’t they (Hallmark) realize that Home & Family catapults their movies as well? Losing so many viewers (inevitably) here will also lose viewers to their movies. EVERYBODY loses here. Cristina was the… Read more »
This is so sad, she was so relatable and has had life experience that the younger stars won’t have until they are her age. She was the wholesomeness of the show which is missing on every other channel. I’m sure Hallmark had their reason, bottom line I am guessing. I will continue to watch unless it gets edgy like other shows. Just makes me want to,say goodbye to TV if even Hallmark is going down the tubes and gutter with the rest of them
I will not be watching the show any longer. The show will not be the same without Christina. She was the show.
I don’t think I would want to be part of that “Family!” They talk about family but it must be a fake family. If truth be known, I would say it was the prayer she said while she was at Dollywood! It was beautiful! Can I say the PC might have complained. I enjoyed the program but not anymore. Just another injustice. Real families will stick together.
I’m thinking this is a case of blatant ageism. Until and unless I’m proven wrong, I’m done with H&F.