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 was waiting for Cristina to return. I missed the show that announced her departure. I loved seeing her each day and thought her and Mark were perfect host. I still watch Home and Family, but it is not the same without Cristina. I am very disappointed that she will not return. No one can replace her. I hope to see her again…..on a new show that appreciates her.
I’m so very sad that Cristina is no longer hosting on the Home and Family show. In my opinion she was the spirit and heart of the show. I feel like I am in mourning. I have lost someone very dear to me that cannot be replaced. What a horrible loss for those of us who related so much with her. I am not watching Home and Family every day anymore. On occasion I have watched but its just not the same. I just don’t think Ill be watching much anymore.
I’m so sad to learn of Cristina’s departure. I enjoyed the show so much while she was the co host. Not so much anymore. I’ve just tuned in occasionally but the spirit and spark of the show is not there anymore. I will not be much of a viewer now. It’s like losing a member of the family or a long time friend. I am in mourning. I’ve even cried. What a horrible loss for most of us.
I’m so sorry to hear Cristina is no longer with Home and Family. Is it because she is older. So sad aren’t we all. She has been on the original show years ago and has done a wonderful job. Please reconsider she is beautiful Boomer that represents a large contingent with a large discretionary income.
I havent’t really watched since Christina left the show. Now I won’t watch at all. She wasn’t fake. She was a natural hostess!
So sorry to see that Cristina was fired…I just don’t watch anymore! Big mistake Hallmark!
Hallmark what are you thinking? People tune in to your show because it represents “home and family”. As the shows title stands, the fans of the show were not allowed to process the change you made with the co-host. This is unforturnate because if Hallmark is even the slightest bit in tune with their audience they would realize that the hosts to some fans, are there tv family. They looked forward to seeing Christina on the show especially with the upcoming Holidays well on there way. My suggestion: would be that Hallmark invite Christina back for the Holiday season and… Read more »
Pretty certain she would never return to a show that treated her so pourly. She will be on tv again with I’m sure a better show than this. They cooked their own goose!
I was very surprised over the past couple of weeks to see someone else as co-host with Mark. I also believe Christina was an asset to Hallmark. She is such a lady. Hope you change your mind and decide to have her on the show in some form again.
Christina was an asset to Halmark. I am a baby boomer and grew up watching Christina on other shows/programs. Christina has a lot of class. Even through I love Mark, I dont watch the show anymore because Christina is not on it.
I loved Cristina and am very upset she is gone. I do like the new host but quite honestly like Cristina more. I don’t watch the show as much as I used to since Cristina is gone. Very sad.
The show is not the same at all without Christina. I don’t feel like to watch it at all.
Cristina Ferrare did a good job and yes you should cancel the show. Sounds like a lot of politics here.
So glad that Christina has such a wonderful family and knowing she is enjoying them makes me very happy for her. She was great, I like Debbie also, she too is from a big Greek family and I think people from big happy families have been given much love and know how to give that love to their job, audience, wherever they volunteer, etc. I am sure she is happy with time to devote to her loved ones. I like the show and also thought she was on a long vacation or world travel as she has done well in… Read more »
Shame on Home and Family. Poorly handled not even allowing the woman everyone loved to say goodbye on the show. What were you thinking? Thoughtless and poor choice!!!!
I can not believe they fired her. Cristina & Mark are the show. I won’t be watching Home & Family anymore for sure. This chick Debbie is obnoxious and too loud! I feel bad for Cristina. She definitely brought a touch of class on the show. Wow! I can’t believe they would do this. I feel bad for Cristina.
Was Cristina departure because of age? I agree with the post about not giving her the dignity and respect to “Say Farewell”… shame on Hallmark. Not “the family values” it pretends to be. You just lost a class act…now it’s such a mediocre show. Very sad.