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 agree with the abundance of other comments made on behalf of Christina. I personally will boycott the show simply on the grounds of how poorly they handled her leaving. She deserved a sendoff if they had decided to let her go. She was always a classy lady and what you do not realize is that there are many Of us who are over the age of 30 that enjoyed her class, wit and style. Christina, we will miss you and on my behalf at least, you will have one less viewer.
I think it is terrible! What a shame……
So very sad. Christina made the show. Hallmark, what a low blow…your loss! I haven’t watched the show since. Boring now!!!!
I watched mainly because of Christina. The show does not have nearly the same life or personal connection. I will probably not watch any more….it is no longer something I look forward to.
Tom Bergeron and Christina Ferrare would be perfect as your show hosts. Steines is boring.
I have watched this show for a long time. Love LOVE Hallmark channel BUT this is so WRONG. Christina made the show. I can only think you fired her for her age and that SUCKS and is major wrong. She was classy, REAL, and informative. NOW we have a so so nice cohost who comes off often as too pushy with a forced phony smile and phony laughing. What the heck is with the loud mouth laughing? sorry but this show has lost the best part of it.
I agree totally with above comment
OMG! What a disappointment to watch Home and Family! It is boring! No life! Christina Ferrare made this sbow! Debbie I’m sorry you just don’t bring anything to this show now. I will not watch any longer. I wish you all well, but Hallmark you’ve made big mistake. Bring someone back who is bubbly, personably, funny, and soncere. Loved Christina!
I am so disappointed that Christine is no longer on the show. How could you do this to such a fine Lady. Not to mention you never even gave her the send off that she deserves. We were all in the dark wondering what happened to her, was she ill, did something tragic happen to her, but nothing. We deserved better than this. All I can say is that you have lost a Diamond and it will never be replaced.
The show is not the same… Really miss Cristina.
Hallmark did send out a questionnaire right before this happened. I filled it out, but it was just general info they asked. They in noway asked or said anything about Cristina and if they had, she would still be on the show today. Cristina has handled this whole thing like a lady. Debbie is a Kadasian in sheep’s clothing.
Well they certainly did not send a questionnaire to me. If they had I WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD AGREED TO REPLA ING CHRISTINA WITH THE BARBIE WANT TO BE DEBBIE. WHO ELSE AGREES WIRH ME?
This is a shame….call it what is political correct (cover up) but it is age discrimination. I just never thought it would be true! But it is and it is a very sad commentary how treat people. I will never watch the show again.
Was sad to not see Christina Ferrari on Home and Family!! I feel she added a warmth and honesty to the show, her replacement is pretty and fake!! Guess I won’t be watching this fiasco any longer!!
The main reason I watch Home & family was because of Christina Ferrari she brought a kindness and spirit of family to the show. It’s really a shame that you remove someone who has done such a good job and replace her with someone obviously not as qualified nor as admired. Sorry I won’t be continuing to watch the show until you realize the mistake you’ve made.
Cristina is a classy, polished diamond who embodies “Home and Family” living. I now have 2-4 hours free as the family “warm fuzzy”, happy feeling is gone. Cristina was the love uniting everyone as family.
I WON’T BE WATCHING. CRISTINA IS MY FAVORITE, I LOVED WATCHING HER. I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HATE THE OLD. REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU HALLMARK
I will no longer watch. It’s like replacing the elegance of fine wine with a discount beer.
OMG! This is sooooo true!