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 still watch some but not every day like before. The show is not the same without her!!!!!
i loved Christina! She has such a sweet way about her. i am very saddened about her leaving. im sure Debbie will do a good job but so many of us dont like change. I only pray that none of the H&F cast had nothing to do with this. It truely will not be the same; myself and many others are not happy
Cristina was the heart of the show. She brought such beauty and class to the show. I never missed a show. I dont support dishonesty and discrimination. I no longer watch. I wish Cristina love, continued success and healing. Cristina, you are missed…
no will not watch
I certainly miss her, she really added to this show—–I enjoy the guests-& DYI projects, but don’t watch near as faithfully as I did in the past—–I am a huge Hallmark fan & this is very sad——-
I loved the show because of Christina. I will no longer watch the show.
I really liked Christina. She added so much to the show and if she was let go because of her age then shame on Home and Family! I watch more for the DIY projects.
Since Christina left, I have not watched Home & Family although I used to enjoy it very much! Christina was the heart & soul of the program and for a family show, it is a shame how Christina was treated! I have not and will continue not to watch the show! Perhaps Hallmark was looking to reach a “younger” demographic but it is really sad that a wonderful lady was “let out to pasture” in the prime of her life and what she could bring to the table! Christina, you are deeply missed and wished all the best that life… Read more »
I haven’t watched H & F in about 6 months since I learned that Cristina was fired and we were essentially being lied to. (Being told she was on vacation.) To hear that she was not going to continue as cohost because she was “too old” was just disgraceful. Prior to this, other beloved H & F members went missing with no explanations. Cristina was the heart and soul of Home and Family and without her this show is no longer a home or a family. I have continued to follow Cristina and all the good works she does! I… Read more »
But ANOTHER QUANTUM LEAP BACKWARDS FOR WOMEN! Bring in a younger mindless big mouth replacement to boost ratings. I need not watch this dribble any longer. Best of luck to Christina, she brought charm and intellect whereas Mark and his new host simply degrade a class act. I was never a fan of Mark but Christina carried him for so long. Done with this Channel as the blatant degradation of older women is tantamount. Hallmark move is a huge disappointment for modern women today. NO PURCHASING HALLMARK, NO WATCHING HALLMARK…Netflix and Vudu has plenty of movies to watch in the… Read more »
I didn’t like Christina…I’ve seen her make strange, rude, critical remarks towards guests and I just felt she really didn’t bring anything to the show that any normal person could have. I actually stopped watching because of her ( and also because of that Matt guy from American Idol….why was he even on there???) Iwas actually thrilled when I found out they replaced her. I never understood why they chose her in the first place.
I completely agree!
I miss Cristina on Home&Family…and because she is no longer on the show I too have stopped watching. I have no interest in a show that is supposed to be about “home” and “family” and yet was able to hurt and disrespect Cristina who in my opinion made the show. Her earthiness, her cooking segments, flower arrangements, fashion, her wit, style, beauty, etc. were all the things that helped make Home&Family the great show it was. The person who should have been fired is Mark. Debbie is always criticized for being loud and all about her…but it’s Mark who is… Read more »
Mona, you have PERFECTLY stated how I feel about Mark. I don’t understand how they have allowed him to continue to interrupt with his silly puns. They drove me crazy but I kept forcing myself to tolerate him because thought Christina was a class act. I love how she has aged so gracefully. She is a beautiful woman inside and out. She has proven that with the way she has accepted this without speaking negatively. I keep thinking about the way Mark was saying (on the show) about how Christina shouldn’t be drinking anything alcoholic with them, when it was… Read more »
Have tried to watch Home and Family since Cristina’s departure. Honestly, I can’t stand to have it on for simple company in the house. I record it. Can watch the whole 2 hours in 30 minutes or less. Only days I watch are days Debbie is gone. She isn’t warm and natural like Cristina. Shame that nothing is real anymore and you would think that every viewer has a toddler – changed their whole target audience. The family part is just fake now. Christmas without my old favorite show will seem empty – a holiday tradition destroyed by a poor… Read more »
Hallmark, Woody…what were you thinking?
Age Discrimination is not acceptable.
No Cristina!
No Hallmark Channel!
No Hallmark products!
Your show is lost without Cristina.
I imagine your ratings are falling and Home and Family will soon be cancelled.
Mark, Kim, Matt, Matt, Sophie, and Ken. Where were you when your friend was treated so unfairly?
Debbie was fired from the View. She should not be the lead of a TV show. Debbie, Ddbbie, Debbie. Your hard to listen to. Debbie likes herself more than she likes the audience.
All of you should publicly apologize to Cristina.
Ditto Pam!
I have not watched the show since Christina left and I will not watch it. I used to cringed everytime Debbie sub’d for Christina. I always felt like she had to be in the spotlight and overshadow everyone else. I love the Hallmark Channel but I am disappointed in their lack of respect not only for Christina but for us as the fans. Currently I watch shows before Home and Family and after Home and Family.