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?
Cristina, you were treated unfairly. I always looked forward to seeing you on the show. You are missed. May you go on to bigger and better shows.
I thought she was a great cohost I can’t believe they fired her I thought you did a great job. I miss her
I miss Cristina’s kind, professional, up-to-date presence on the show. I have no other reason to watch now except to catch Orla from time to time.
I miss Cristina. I enjoyed her shows in the 80’s when I lived in California. It was nice to see her again on Home and Family. Her comments are kind, professional and up-to-date. I have no other reason to watch the show other than catching Orla from time to time.
I miss Cristina. I loved her show in the 80’s when I lived in California and still enjoy her kind, professional, up-to-date comments on the show. I have no other real reason to watch except to catch Orla from time to time.
Nope I won’t watch anymore. Cristina was a great co host and Debbie is too talkative for my taste. bad decision
Wow! I am shocked at the treatment of Christina Ferrare by what is supposed to be the “family channel”. I will not be watching anymore. (I suppose that will not upset anyone at Hallmark as I am in my fifties and outside the “demo” they are obviously trying to attract!)
I know that I do not like the show as much because she is no longer there. I was hoping she was just on a nice vacation with family this summer…but my gut feeling was….again…she wasn’t the right age, shape, sy
Type for that “planet” of Hollywood. Her wisdom, her humor,her beauty and her warm sweetness…and I think toughness underneath…not to mention her decorating ability and cooking and hostess abilities put her in a class above the rest…..I don’t know how much longer I can watch this youth themed show…I love and miss you Christina!
I heard she got fired or let go because of age discrimination and that is horrible. I saw something on tv with her and Maria Shriver
that it was because of her age. I think that is happening more and more in today’s world because it happened to me. I love Cristina and I don’t watch it anymore. And who want to watch the Brady bunch that’s crap. Bring some good movies on. Mark is too domineering personality.
I won’t not be watching now due to Christina Fettered leaving the show !! She made the show successful !
So glad to see these comments. This is prejudice at its best. Age discrimination. Yep, all of my friends have boycotted as well. Hallmark has shown us that a Home and Family mean nothing.
What ashame that Hallmark felt the need to fire Cristina, she was the only reason I watched the show, now your like all the other stations ,youth and Hollywood obsessed, i thought you were a family based show. Cristina was a class act!!!
I am sad that Christina is no longer on home and family.. I will no longer watch!!younger is not always better. Bad choice Hallmark
I don’t like the change and have already stopped watching the show!
Stopped watching completely since Christina left., Webbie gets on my nerves also. They should have left well alone! If its not broke DON’T FIX IT!
Good luck with your future Christina. Good things are coming your way.