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?
Sorry to see Christina gone. Replacement does not have sweet warm personality Christina had. Use to watch show every day but no more. Stopped watching.
Christina was my fave! Bring her back!
To me Christina WAS the show, and such a lady. Will not watch anymore
How unresponsible for the Network to let Ferrare go, becsuse of her Age…..Shame on you Network! It is so disrespectable. If this is how you manage your show, to a Woman whom did a superb job you have dis-heartened many.
Ferrare, Have A Wonderful Christmas and A Very Happy New Year!!!
I think it was a mistake to remove christina. Deb is very nice but the chemistry just isnt there . however, this show is so honest, wholesome and informative and really is family oriented. We need more shows like this. do not cancel it.
To me, firing the star of the show because you feel she is too old is not wholesome or family orienated! I don’t want more shows that disrespect the older generation. Their family values are fake just like the people on the show. So dissappointed in Hallmark. Will never watch again and I di hope they get canceled.
Havent watched since Cristina left. And wont watch anymore. Dont care for the way this transition was handled. Im thinking age may have been a factor. But you know, bringing in the young isnt always the best. But that is the direction these programs are going these days. Thank God for Netflix.
She was the show I will no longer watch why didn’t they get rid of Mark he was the one that needed to go .. As for Debbie she clearly doesn’t know what she is doing … Two thumbs down … Sorry Christina they are wrong
Don’t watch it anymore.Big mistake the rude way you took Christina off with no thank you. Don’t even like watching commercial for up coming programs.Debbie acts like you she trying to but sexy and that is not what the program is about
Totally does not make sense! WHO would make such a decision???? Viewers were not considered… I guess they want a different audience??? Was it politically motivated?? Just don’t understand!!
I am sorry to see Cristina go! This looks like another example of women “getting to old”. She is graceful and polished. I will miss that in the new show and am still decoding if I will continue to watch.
The first thing I noticed about the new replacement was that she was too loud. I felt like she was overly dramatic and in your face. Maybe it will calm down, but I don’t like outrageous as all. The jury is out for me. Everything changes, but I feel my generation is being left behind and left out.
I am so sad that Christina is no longer on the show. I haven’t been watching it because Debbie and Mark don’t seem to have the same chemistry. I didn’t realize Christina was off for good. Very sad to find out she’s not coming back. PLEASE don’t let this be a case of age. I could relate to Christina because we are the same exact age and it bothers me that they replaced her with someone younger. I think Christina was truly a class act and age should not matter. Network people – think it through. There are more baby… Read more »
I like Christina better. I have tuned into the show but believe Mark and Christina made for better hosts.
Woo!!! Hoo!!! Love Debbie……welcomed addition!!!!
You are in the minority.
I miss Cristina and wish her departure was handled with kindness, rather than leaving viewers feeling deceived. I hope she will find joy and passion in her new ventures. I record H & F every day and enjoy the variety of crafts, recipes, etc. I appreciate the behind-the-scenes segments because they give recognition to the people whom we don’t always see that help make the show what it is. Mostly, I feel gratitude to Hallmark for shows like this and movies that I can watch with my six-year old.
I think Debbie is a very sweet girl but I miss Cristina and have stopped watching the show. I liked Paige when the show started but they dumped her for Cristina. I stuck with the show then but when this happened I figured why bother? Mark is not nearly as smooth and warm as either of those ladies were and it’s obvious they’re going to keep him so…
The show isn’t as good without Cristina and I no longer watch it. I can’t think of one good reason to fire her and the network made a huge mistake replacing her, even if it was with another cast member. She and Mark made me feel like family every time I watched the show. I don’t get that now. Why can’t networks stop trying to fix something that clearly isn’t broken.