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?
Really miss Cristina. Thought she was on vacation, and was waiting for her to come back. The show isn’t the same without her. Why take away part of the family. Not really watching anymore. It’s kind of boring now. Cristina warmth and fun to the show.
I am so sorry to see Cristina fired! Why are mature women replaced by younger women, not fair. I loved the show because I could connect with her. A real shame. Not watching anymore.
I wish Cristina was still on the show, I watched because of her. What a shame that older women are not respected and replaced by a younger ones, sooooo sad. Not watching anymore.
I miss Cristina..don’t watch the show very much since she left..
I wonder if they thought she was “too Christian”. I agree with the other comments on her contribution to the show. She gave you that warm fuzzy feeling. Miss her.
BRING CHRISTINA FERRARE BACK! WHY CHANGE SOMETHING THAT’S WORKING. VERY CRUEL.
What a big mistake for hallmark I’m so disappointed. To be off from work in a while & not see Christina is concerning. Love Mark debbie is just ok she won’t ever replace Christina i hope beyond hope Christina wasn’t pushed out because of age. This happening has given me the opportunity to voice my thoughts about the hallmark channel and the lack of African Americans in their movies. There are so many qualified beautiful women & men who can star in them rather than having all white or mostly all white casts. This has been bothering me more and… Read more »
I was very disappointed that Cristina was not returning to the show. I throughly enjoyed her presence on the show. I do not like when shows replace women with younger women. Women are women no matter what age. Cristina was perfect for the show, she was genuine, respective, intelligent and beautiful. Bring her back!!❤
Mark and Debbie have no chemistry. Bad move. Not watching any more!
Christine has a contagous vibe and will missed…
Can not believe she is not coming back it is not the same sorry but I will no longer watch
I have always enjoyed the show, watching even in the 90s with Chuck Woolery! I miss Cristina and am disappointed with what happened (boo, Hallmark!), but I’m not going to say I was watching the show simply because Cristina was on it. I was watching the show for the content and variety. I still like the other personalities featured, still enjoy the guests, and will still watch the show.
Will not watch the show…miss her
Can you bring Cristina back? Sure do miss her. I loved her wit and humor. Her cooking ideas were great!
Wow I’ve been waiting for Christina to show up. Not so happy with the new Co-host. Debbie seems like cardboard. Fake smiling all the time. Christina had depth and was entertaining. Her age showed her wisdom, kindness and the ease she has within her own self. I think it’s the wrong way to go.
I really miss Cristina. She had such a lively and wonderful disposition. The show isn’t the same without her, and I’m sorry to say that I stopped watching it.
This is another example of letting a great person go and letting someone younger takeover. NBC did the same thing to Anne Murray. I stopped watching the Today show for that very reason. It’s all about the almighty $.