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’m very disappointed with this change. It’s getting harder and harder to find good things to watch on tv anymore. I don’t like the way this was handled. Debbie was let go from the view the same way. She should no better than to accept this job. If Christina was a real friend of hers she would’ve fought to help her keep her job not take it from her.. I also don’t feel that Mark is the same. He seems very unhappy. I really feel like the show will not make it. It’s just not the same.
I am so sorry that Christina is not there anymore. I am very discouraged in Woody and how this was done. I do like Debbie but I agree with the Amanda, Debbie should not have taken the job. She has a small baby at home that needs her and her schedule will be grueling She can not do what Christina did. I hope the show gets cancelled. I will not watch anymore.
Another Hallmark disappointment – their stores, their products, their show – why should we be surprised.
What a terrible mistake letting Christina go. US BABY BOOMERS no longer have any reason to continue watching the show. I will NEVER watch the show again. Christina MADE THE SHOW.
I cannot believe that Home and Family would let go of the person who brought so much to the show. She is such a classy lady who was the main reason that I watched the show. I will no longer watch Home Ana Family. I guess they thought she was too old instead of realizing that her maturity was what made the show. She was always so positive, sweet and cheerful. Big mistake!!!!
Not to take away from anyone else on H&F but Cristina was the primary reason I was a dedicated, daily viewer. When Bob Barker retired & was replaced on The Price is Right, I no longer cared to watch after 25 years of viewing it. You should have considered the loyalty factor before letting her go & how many followers she has. As typical, she has graciously not said anything negative about anyone regarding this situation. Cristina is & always will be a Class Act. Sorry to say, you missed the boat & made a serious faux pas doing this.
Big mistake made by networks bosses. Cristina has class, poise, grace,
and beauty. As with most viewers, I would like to have been told that she was
leaving the show on her own, and not being pushed out because of age.
By the way, Mark is over fifty, Why is he still here?
Good question ??
Could this be a case of age discrimination ???
Could this be a case of female age discrimination ???
Hmmmmmmm
Turning off my recorder.
I will not watch Home and Family any longer. Cristina was the main reason that I watched the show. She brought so much class and was a pleasure to watch.
I left the tv record today’s HF thinking I’ll give the network until Monday to bring back Cristina before I delete HF. I was doing housework and had a music station on my tv. My tv, of its own volition, switched over to HF and started recording it. As soon as my tv saw that Cristina was not back, my tv switched back to the music station and stopped recording.
I’m telling the truth. I’m with my tv on this one. Monday or delete.
Huge mistake…..Christina was the reason I watched the show…..whenever a host is over 50 they are thrown away…..stupid move….very sad!!!!!!!!!!
I feel I was lied to by a program that was supposed to be about family. I guess I am not family. Cristina was why I watched. Now I have no reason to watch, follow, or record. I will miss watching Kim Douglas but I really feel betrayed by the way This whole thing was done. No longer a fan
No I am not happy with Cristina being replaced and No I will not be watching the show anymore. She was the heart of the show and the family. Its like a death has taken place and it just won’t be the same family.
We think that she is a wonderful, caring host!! She will be sorely missed. We don’t understand why the network would break up a fantastic team! It was not handled well at all! So sorry to see her go! Good luck, Christina!
I am very sad Christina is gone. And no I won’t be watching anymore .
I always watch that show because of Christina, she carried the show . The host always whined about his new divorce he made very foolish remarks about everything and she carried the show in a very professional way, no I won’t be watching anymore