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?
Dear Home and Family, It saddens me that Cristina is gone. She was The Home And Family part of the show. She has spunk and humorous. She handled herself so well and I felt like when I themed the show on, I was home. Will really miss her. I hope she will come back.
Harriet Hudson in Jacksonville, Florida
I was so shocked to find out Cristina would not be back!!!!!She was the reason i watched the show!!!!!!She truly cares about others and it shows!!I will not be watching the show anymore…..its just not the same.
This is BULL, I have been wanting for Cristina to come back!!! Now that I know she is not, I will no longer watch this show, the new Co host is horrible, Cristina made that show!!! More real, more down to earth , she was like Family!!!
Shame on you ever letting her go!!
I hope the ratings crash and show is cancelled due to your huge mistake! !!
Omg I was wondering wat happen miss watching her on the show
I think that it was a dirty trick leaving Cristina go.. I always thought the Hallmark Channel was a warm and fuzzy place to be. Cristina made it that way. She never wanted the spotlight for her alone. She made sure that the whole “family” was included. I am so tired of Debbie looking at the camera and thinking about her looks. . I will never forget Christina always talked about going to Mark’s house like family members do. Now there is nothing said about her. She was just kicked to the curb. This makes all the family two faced… Read more »
Love Crista.
Also think the world of Debbie. She bustef her chops to do a fundraiser for me and she is a lovely, down to earth beautiful lady and I am forever grateful to her. Cristina has a special place in our hearts, just experience of living a most interesting life. The show is just not the same. Dont relate to much of it since Cristina’s departure. (:
I as well no longer watch the show. Cristina was a at home host and made me feel at home in her home, too bad Hallmark you have lost another.Debbie try as you may you have some big shoes to fill.
I loved the show from the beginning and was concerned Christina was sick and since I don’t get to watch it everyday maybe I had missed an explanation. I still enjoy the show and hate to hear she will be gone forever. The show is still one of my favorites.
This was a major MAJOR error. Executive decisions can many times be disatrous. Sadly, as we have seen far too often, the talent behind the company is dsregarded, disrespected, undervalued by the top echelon who take home the lion’s share of money.
Christina Ferrare was and shall remain a vlass act. You aren’..
This tells me all I need to know about the philosophy of the so called Family network Hallmark.
Shame on you. You lost me as a viewer and I was addicted to your movies. Reruns too. No more.
Still not thrilled about the new show. As a 60-year old woman, I could relate to Cristina. I can relate to Debbie. I was a long time viewer. I no longer watch it. The show is not what it used to be.
It’s like as if they replaced Oprah but kept the name of her show the same. They need to change the name of the show to “Debbie and sometimes Mark”.
watched it all the time till they took Christina off ,have tried to watch it but just don’t enjoy it anymore will not be watching it again
Sadly I have not watched the show since Cristina was replaced. The show appealed to me as an older, BUT NOT OLD YET, woman, but now it’s like any other talk show. Sorry, you lost me as a viewer, I realize I am only one but still felt compelled to express my opinion. Thank you.
I have not watched since Christina is gone and I will not watch it again
Im very sad by the decision to let go of a woman with so much love for people and family. Isn’t that what your show is about? Cristina brought a special ladies touch that was a perfect fit. I honestly watched from time to time and I hadn’t seen her in awhile and then I read what happened. Today’s world needs more hero’s and Cristina is one of those. The class that she brought to the show was incredible. No one can replace her. I am sure there will be something bigger and better for her. One never wishes I’ll… Read more »