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?
So very sad that the TRUE HEART & SPIRIT of the show is really gone. … I continue to watch the show but cringe almost every time Debbie talks. There’s real,true emotions (Cristina ) & then there’s forced (Debbie ) kinda hard to stomach. ..LOVED the show much better with the pure and naturally, talented Cristina. ..just saying. .. she is GREATLY MISSED! !!
KATHY Young and blond are not.always the best. The best thing about Homr and family was Christine she is honest, humble and very talented She made the show.With her gone i watched the show twice and wont watch it again. It was a mistake and the producer’s will soon realize it. God bless you Christina its there loss not yours.
CANCEL the show. That’s not true Home and Family. And Debbie M came from The View!
I thought it refreshing not to have liberal bias in this network. So sad someone holds the purse strings. I won’t be watching. Christina was very gracious in her remarks.
I’ve been wondering what happened to Christina. Since finding out she was fired I will no longer be watching the show nor will I be purchasing Hallmark cards. Being older myself I found her to be warm and genuine and someone I could relate to. Maybe Hallmark is trying to appeal to a younger audience but in so doing has alienated us older viewers.
I really miss Christina’s class, her wit, & her all round personality. I think the way Network dismissed her was typical. They treated her WITHOUT dignity or respect, as well as the female fans, who make up the majority of the viewers. Just one more example how the powers that be view women. Disgusting!
Home and family was my favorite show! I will not be watching it due to letting Christina go. Christina reached older people instead of all young people. Bad decision!
I really miss Cristina.The show is not the same without her.I don”t watch hardly at all anymore. I do watch in December for the Holiday feeling.
Age and gender discrimination is obvious.Mark is no younger, he’s boring and has no real skills. Her replacement is fake. Old people watch this show , but we can find other things to watch, that value seniors’ contributions to life and family ,so don’t discriminate in our face! I’m Done with Home. And Family. !!! There was nothing. Family about the way you did this! SHAME ON YOU HALLMARK!!!!!! sf
totally agree, i too was wanting to know what had happend she was such a classy lady all the networks seem to be getting rid of all the good ones …………..
I can watch regularly but whenever I am home on a day off or vacation. I have watched for years. Like so many comment below, I agree Cristina was the heart of the show. I cannot believe that this network that I thought was all about that has let Her go and replaced her with someone younger. How shallow they should be ashamed of themselves. This show has a loyal following and it not like she wasn’t a fan favorite or was dragging the show down. All due respect to Mark. I like him as an entertainment journalist. But Cristina… Read more »
Well said!!!
amen to all what you just stated!!!!!!!!!! the show has lost the heart beat i am sorry but mark is totally boring!!!!!!!!!!!! and he is going to be doing the rose parade next year???????? give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(do the men on all network stay young?????????) double standard …….
I am disappointed Christina is gone much warmer personality loved the banter with her and mark . Christina was so natural with such a bright personality , she also brought wisdom knowledge and respect given she wasn’t a young host your were drawn to learn from her enjoyed when she did crafts with her daughter too. Hallmark really got this change wrong !
totally wrong , why could not they let him go??????? and keep Christina?????? what is the world coming to……. i guess we are going back to the 1950 era???????? god help us all…
So very wrong. I enjoyed Cristina so very much. I don’t want to watch the show any longer. Please bring her back. She makes the show. She is the everyday woman with warmth and and love. There is a great lost without her. Today is my last view of the show until she returns. Thank you.
I just turned on the show after not watching it for several months and have already turned it off. Bring Cristina back, please.
I was very hurt when I didn’t see Cristina on home and family I’m very upset that you was fired you was a great co host and yes I will not watch the tv show
because your not there with your beautiful smile
Can Debbie cook anything but potatoes and Cali flower. I am really not satisfied with the new direction. I have tried to watch but find my self changing the channel. Mark is out of place with Debbie. What younger market is at home Watching home and family. I think you all made a hugh mistake on this one. Bring Christina back. She and mark clicked for the audience. Or Christina by het self.
drop mark ,i use to watch because of her not mark ,if the network thinks this is going to work or bring the ratings up they have completely failed….. when i noticed that Christina was not coming i tuned OFF 100%…………..
I really can’t see where Debbie is making a difference, just younger and talk to much. Christina made the show homey and real
I will miss Cristina greatly, and believe that the “fire” behind Home & Family was Cristina & Mark. I’m sorry, but I haven’t watched an airing since…