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 cannot watch the show now. It use to be such a highlight and now they have ruined it with Debbie and others. So ashamed of Mark and the rest of the cast for. It sticking up for Cristina. They are traitors and not family.
Once Cristina gets a clean bill of health (she is undergoing chemo and then a stem cell transplant) for multiple myeloma (a cancer of the stem cells in the body). She will beat this. She has offers from other shows lined up already and they are willing to wait for her. Also she is writing another cookbook, working with Maria Shriver on Alzheimer’s prevention so she isn’t idle. Miss her so much on H&F and have not watched since she left. The show has lost everything she brought to it: warmth, experience, caring, listening skills, charm and beauty.
I agree completely! I used to look forward to the show every day, but now I no longer watch it. It was so warm and ‘homey’ when Cristina was the host. Now it just seems silly and very chaotic. It felt as if you truly were a part of their family, but no longer. I don’t know where I missed her cancer diagnosis, but I will be keeping her in my prayers. I am so glad to hear that other shows are waiting to pick her up! I can’t wait to see where she lands next.
I’m really disappointed that the “Home & Family” powers-that-be decided to fire Cristina from the show. I realize that was their prerogative, but in doing so, they lost me as a viewer. How sad that the channel that promotes itself as “The Heart of TV”, pushed out Cristina, who was the heart of the show.
You’re one in a million! We love you! Can not watch the show anymore…
Cristina is why I started watching Home & Family. I haven’t watched it since she is not on it. I believe there were bad decisions made!
I still watch Home and Family occasionally, but not with the same regularity that I did when Christina was on the show. She was the heart of the show. I missed Tanya when she was no longer on the show. No explanation for either departure from the show. I don’t understand why the changes are being made, but they have not been good changes in my opinion. But on the bright side, I’m beginning to like The Chew better.
It breaks my heart that Christina was let go. Every chance I got, I would watch Home & Family mainly because she was an inspiration. The chemistry between Christine, Mark and the rest of the cast was like a family. I am so sad & sorry that the powers that be let one of the best woman go.
It is H & F’s loss!!! I too am o longer watching the show. My love & prayers to Christina and your family!
My late husband and I use to watch every morning and I continue to watch because it felt like family to me. But when I found out Hallmark fired Christina for someone younger I have not watched a show since. She was part of that family. She was the Mother the Matriarch of the show. Hallmark you have made an awful mistake with this decision. This is my opinion Christina appealed to our generation the ones that are retired and at home to watch your show. I fear your ratings will drop and show will eventually be canceled. So sad… Read more »
I loved reading all these comments here! I agree with everyone of them, and have deleted Home and Family from my DVR. My reason for watching everyday was Cristina’s beautiful heart and love of family as well as her faith! I think there are so much more rewarding things ahead for her, beginning with her dedication to fighting Alzheimer’s! Prayers for a blessed 2017 to her and her beautiful family!!
No more H &F for this viewer..F stands for family and they didn’t even have a goodbye ..They disrespected her…..
Woody~~~~you blew it big time !
I very seldom watch , I miss Cristina and I feel the show has made a turn to appease the younger audience. I find it hard to believe cristina was let go because of her age. …Woody you do know you are 80 yrs old. I also find it hard to look at Mark who supposedly was a great friend to Cristina. Bad move all the way around.
Woody~~~you blew it big time !
Why didn’t woody leave? He’s ancient.
I stopped watching Home and Family when Cristina did not come back. It’s called respect in the work force and us season workers teach and mentor the young ones and we deserve respect especially because Cristina was so good. Best wishes to you. I am a season Bone Marrow/HCT nurse and love my job. My patients humble and inspire me every day just like you with a positive attitude ❤️ You are in my prayers
The show sent Christina packing…so I’ve left with her. The easy warmth is gone. Bye.
For a Christian show I was stunned by the handling of Cristina’s departure. Seemed cowardly and secretive. Very disappointing. We, the audience deserved more. To see someone who became our family leave without a beautiful send off was not representative of a Christian or even a family show. No doubt you will delete my comments.