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?
Epic Fail…..Will no longer watch anything on Hallmark 🙁
I have never written a post commenting on a television before, but I was disheartened to learn that Cristina Ferrare was fired from Home and Family. I began watching this January and never miss an episode. I told all my friends and family they ought to watch this show, which had a wonderful Christian undertone. I watched the Memorial Day episode with friends and we were all impressed with Cristina’s prayer from the Dollywood stage. I still watch because nothing else on TV equals it. Debbie M. is improving, she is not as loud, and she is not wearing all… Read more »
Very eloquent. You expressed the feelings of many who watched the show and miss Cristina.
Thanks so much for letting us know what happened to Christina. I turned on today to start watching again after a summer break and was VERY disappointed ! Debbie is not Christina and the other guy just doesn’t cut it ! What happened to the warm and fuzzy Hallmark reputation ? I guess it doesn’t extend to employees? Pffffttt!
If she was fired because of her age,then that would be discrimination
Rosemarie,thanks for the information.After all these posts , wouldn’t you think Hallmark would make a comment and give us some kind of explanation!! Who ever the idiot is who fired Cristina,I wonder how he looks at himself in the mirror!!!
When I first noticed Christina was no longer there I thought maybe she was on vacation period finding the truth out has made me mad to the point I don’t even want to watch Hallmark. I am 67 and I enjoyed watching Christina she was never a detriment to your show how dare you. I will not be watching anymore. I have nothing against mark or Debbie but what you did to Christina is disgusting
I will not be watching anymore. Christina was the show…Debbie absolutely not. Why not replace Mark to while your at it. The show was pretty repetitious as well. Do you not realize that mostly retired people are the ones watching as well as some young ones. You can do better.
Terrible decision! It wasn’t “broke” as far as viewers were concerned, so why fix it?
Still not over them killing off Jake from The Good Witch. What’s up, Hallmark?
I was very surprised that Christina is not part of the show . Nothing against Debbie but I prefer Christina. It’s not the same
I was a loyal viewer of the show and LOVED the authenticity Cristina brought to it. Debbie doesn’t appear genuine and I have trouble connecting to and enjoying the show as I once did. It’s sad but Cristina will thrive wherever life takes her. I’m not sure I’ll stick with the show~
I tried watching with the new co-host but the show seems lackluster to me now. Oh well, I guess they gotta do what they gotta do. And so do I. Ta ta Home and Family!
Bad, bad decision!! This is so wrong on so many fronts. I won’t be watching any longer. It’s just not as good any more.
The show is seems fake to me. The atitudes or so put on like they are trying to hard to be someone else. I will look to see what guests but I don’t have an interest for anything else.
Christina brought a down home feeling to the show. I loved how deep she delved into every aspect of the show. She brought the aroma of the flowers , not just the vision, of them. I hope you understand what I mean in my last statement. I do watch the show but it is just not the same.
I thought we were waiting out a vacation! My husband & I watch specifically because we love Christina. We won’t be watching anymore.