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 think it is very sad, and unfair to Christina an the viewers, when a TV host simply disappears. Both viewers and the host deserve a proper send off, with a period of time to get used to it. As with Regis Philbin, I hate when a host who is beloved by the viewers is fired. When they themeselves decide to leave on their own the viewers can understand, even though it makes us very unhappy. I wish Cristina the very best, and I will not be watching the show.
I will miss you on H&F and hope I will see you again. I’ve followed you since the 1970’s and think you are beautiful and a lot of grace about you. I had read your biography about your breast cancer and kept up with off & on thru the years. I wish you many blessings in the future.
Cristina has never had breast cancer.
I am very disappointed now that Christina is not on the show. She was the reason I watched. Her warmth, joy, humor, and sincerity is what draws people to her. The show is just not the same without her. I don’t look forward to watching the show as I did.
I will no longer be watching Cristina made the show way to go Hallmark ruin another show
Cristina Ferrare was the reason I started watching “Home & Family”. She was beautiful, classy, and funny. A true gem has slipped through their fingers. I like Debbie, but I adored Cristina. Things are just not the same. I no longer watch.
I will so miss her. I do not understand why did they get rid of him. She really made the show. I will no loner watch the show. She was the main reason that I stay to watch the show. I am still upset that they fired the other host as well. I am encouraging all my friends not to watch. This was a very sorry move on this network. I sure that the sorry male host has lots to do with the firing..
I think Christina was much better, but who knows why she was replaced. Some CEO probably thought it was better with someone younger.
Been wondering what happened to Christine. Was worried she was sick. Now I’m so sad she was let go. That is really sad I think and to especially replace her with one of the home and family crew. Sad. I miss Christine.
you should bring cristina back to the show, it was better with her.
I really miss Christina. She was such a class act!!! I also enjoyed the chemistry between Christina and Mark. Debbie is ok but she’s not Christina
It’s terrible what was done to Cristina. It seems that the same story is at play…..throw away the older person and put in the younger. Younger does not always play against experience. It ashame that Cristina was good enough to bring the show to its height s of fame and popularity to be thrown away is shameful. I stop watching. For the record I’m young. Home and Family is not that at all. This action taken by is a sign of the times. Wonder what they define as the meaning of family.
You are right. They should have gotten rid of him and get a younger guy. Then lets see how the shoe fits. I am very sure he had a lot to do with her firing. He is no more than a snake in the grass and showing his true colors.
AMEN!!!
I am sad that Hallmark replaced Cristina and am not sure if I will continue to watch Hallmark now that I know she was fired. It’s a shame.
I think it was a BIG mistake letting Cristina Ferrare go. I always felt her and Mark worked very well together. Will not watch the show anymore. It has lost it’s sparkle!
If your on Facebook, go to the Home and Family facebook page and say something, even if it’s just to ask when is Cristina is coming back.
Hi As a 63 year young viewer I am the matriarch of my family. I have always looked at Christina as the matriarch of the wonderful Home & Family family. Debbie is a beautiful daughter. Even my own daughter said that she herself isn’t ready to take over for me in our family. I really wish the show hadn’t dismissed the experience that Christina brought and given Debbie the time to grow like all daughters do with love and time.