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?
Since the changes took place, I find the show doesn’t hold my attention as it did before it all happened. Sometimes silly, and too much of Debbie getting teary. I can be very sensitive but she has me beat by a mile. I used to plan my morning so that I was in the room when the show was on or record it if I were going to be gone. Now, it doesn’t matter. It just doesn’t seem as cohesive as it was pre-change.
I can’t begin to describe how upsetting it is that Christina is gone. I tried watching the how with Debbie, but she literally makes me grind my teeth. I am so on edge watching the two of them that it ruins my day. You tool the ‘Home’ out of Home and family when you got rid of her. Cheap shot the way you did it,too. I personally know of 7 friends in my small area who have stopped watching. Your loss.
Sorry to see Christina forced out. Happens in TV a lot. Execs blame someone for loss of ratings or whatever reason. Look at the format – two hours is TOO long and instead of delving into a few good topics the show tries to cover too much. I can ‘hear’ the director, Wrap it up, commercial, out of time, finish up. Appears rushed!!! AND, please 10 people sitting in a row – wholesale guests. Perhaps as you’re making changes the production exes should look at their choices. I enjoy Hallmark but not Home & Family so much.
I was so sad to see that Christina was replaced on Home and Family. She was kind and sensitive and had a great sense of humor. Probably will not watch the show anymore as Christina made the show what it is.
I have watched the show since Christina left. I don’t like it and will not watch anymore. The new co-host comes off as insincere. Bring back Christina.
Christina being replaced with a skinnier and younger hostess on your show was a very big mistake in my opinion. I will be watching the Golden Girls even though I have seen everyone of those shows. Christina made my day, now I will be watching all the reruns of the Golden Girls. They make my day since Christina is now gone.
I really miss Christina on your show. Did you let her go because she had put on weight? I will not be watching the show any longer. I think you made a very big mistake. Debbie is entirely too flirty. The show is about family and the closeness of the family with great ideas to use in your own family. Christina made the show. I guess I will just have to go back to watching the Golden Girls and laughing with them.
I will not watch since Christina has been removed. Even the ads with Debbie are silly. Networks always make these stupid mistakes and lose their audiences. Big mistake!
My heart is broken & sad that Christina is gone. She brought such class to the show & I might add maturity. I liked the repoire she had with Mark. No, I will not probably follow the show anymore . I love Hallmark Channel and will always watch it’s Movies and shows especially WCTH . I think you made a big mistake letting her go. I’m not one to usually talk about anyone but in this case I am. I feel that Debbie is silly and immature to almost being flighty. Just my opinion. God bless Christina and I pray… Read more »
Christina made the show!! She’s beautiful, witty, and full of personality. Personally I have no interest in watching Home & Family without her. I’d love to see her get another show!
I haven’t watched since Christina left. The show has lost it’s class and heart.
So sad that Christina was let go for a younger person. I loved that show and would tape it. While Debbie is nice she just doesn’t have life experiences and wisdom that Christina had. Remember Debbie will be old one day. TV needs to get real and think about the loyal fans of the older generation. Another good show I would be watching anymore.
I have not watched the show nor will I since the departure of Christina Ferrare. I agree with previous comments and feel it was a huge mistake to replace Christina.
I’m sorry, and no attack to anyone on the show (past of present) but, I never cared for the show anytime. I think it was mean to let Christina go, but I wouldn’t be sad I the show was cancelled all together. I
I don’t believe the explanation that Cristina gave, for obvious reasons. When a show lets a cohost go without explanation it usually means that they wanted someone younger and that’s SO NOT FAIR! I don’t know how old Cristina is but she’s just as pretty as the replacement. She was a wonderful cohost and the show is just not the same without her. They could have replaced Mark with someone younger too but they didn’t did they. I for one will not watch it any more.