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 loved Cristina. BRING her back.
Bad decision to take Christine off the show. Now it’s no longer worth watching.
Bad decision to let Christina go. The show is not worth watching now.
I just want to say That I am so disappointed with the decision to replace Christina. It wreaks of age descrimination. Christina was a big reason I watched the show. I will no longer be watching. Christina you are a genuine beautiful Lady and I wish you and your family all the best!
I didn’t know what was going on, so I took to the Internet to find out. The show is surely not the same. I have now stopped watching it. Christina was the light of the show and I thought she and Mark worked good together. What is wrong with you. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Christina hope you are doing great and I will look you up on facebook to keep up with you. We all want Christina back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She was why I watched the show
I have been a fan of Cristina for a long time…on other programs, too.
Sorry she is no longer there….she always made it interesting and fun.
I have not watched home and family since I haven’t seen Christina. Somehow I missed her the news so I just turn it off. Just doesn’t feel right anymore. You are missed Christinaa
The show is not the same. Debbie just doesn’t do it. Cristina was the show. Sorry Debbie what you did on the show before fits you, being a host you don’t cut it. I will no longer be watching the show
I’m sorry to say they let the wrong person go. I think the show should of been Christina and Kim Douglas!!! I will no longer watch the show. Good luck Christina and God bless you in your new adventure or just being home with family.
I am very upset that Christina is gone. She added class and warmth to the show. Debbie is like a gangly giraffe and she’s so phoney.Not happy
No I will not be watching the show any longer since they replaced Cristina!!
I absolutely loved watching her on the show!
good bye Home &family
It is quite obvious that a young, extremely thin, blonde was considered more important to the style of the program rather than a well-informed, mature female. Such a shame that Hallmark Channel like NBC needs to change hosts because of its ageist (sp?) philosophy.
I use to watch the show, but now I just can’t get iinto it. It’s just not the same. Hopefully Christina will be put on her own show so I can watch her there. I haven’t watch home and family since she left. It’s just not the same. Hallmark has always been my favorite channel for the programs they shown, but I’m very disappointed in their decision.
I will stop watching, Cristina made this show worth watching each day. She was an asset.