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?
Home and Family is know longer watched by me!! What you did to Christina was low and unexceptable.. And Debbie shame on you!!!
I agree with you.
I stopped watching when Christina left! It’s no longer the same! Poor judgement from Home & Family.
I am so angered at the network for “replacing” Christine. It speaks volumes that a formal farewell did not happen. Where is the “family” in that? Christine offered a warmth and charm to the show. Now, I often turn the channel off. I’m just not into watching “a clique.” Poorly done Hallmark. Keep your chin up Christine. You are a role model for many.
You said it all.
Cristina You are sorely missed It is so typical to fire the woman because she isn’t 20 any more yet leave the old guy. It is the old boy network at work.
You are a class act never forget that. Home and family lost my viewership.
It’s nice to have somewhere to talk about our frustration! ! When you do it on the Home & Family facebook they erase it!! Very upsetting! ! Missing Cristina! !!
But at least H&F will know we aren’t going to get over this, ever, when we post on their FB page.
I was still getting over the Ford Edge contest and the pathetic winner chosen which didn’t have anything to do with the guidelines of the contest!!! A lot of people have amazing parents and I just happen to be one of them, That wasn’t right and I have been bitter since, and now Cristina being let go ??? She had so much class and caring and amazing taste, nothing ever seemed beneath her and she was such a good sport about everything. Debbie is annoying!!! Oh well people make mistakes and this one is huge!! Goodbye Home and Family!!!
I agree with you on their contests. The one last year to pick the best DIY person go guest spot on the show was bad too. There were some really great candidates but the one who won wasn’t one of them. Plus, they had Tanya Meme and they shoved her out the door too. I loved Tanya. Did they let her go because she wasn’t a blonde?
As I said on the Facebook post, firing the older woman but leaving the same male host seems to be what happened to Cristina. Same old sexist maneuver that will cause this older woman to limit viewership!
Christina was a household word. When watching “Home & Family” with Christina, it was as if we were invited into her home to experience her daily life. Not in front of cameras but with her ‘family’ experiencing all life has to give. It’s now just a show with planned agenda. Anyone can be placed in host/cohost position now but the mold is broken. So sorry for their decision to replace Christina.
I really miss Christina.She was like family here.She was very personable and down to earth.I love Hallmark,but don’t understand why they fired her.
I only watched the Home & Family show during the holidays, especially Christmas. Since Cristina is gone, I don’t watch it any more! The chemistry between Cristina and Mark was amazing and now the energy of the program is flat and dry, not warm and inviting as it once was. Cristina, I can’t believe the top executive didn’t even tell you why the decision was made. How cowardly.
The Lord Bless you and Keep you…
After a long week I used to come home and watch Cristina !!! But no more !!! Still sad!!! :((
I will never watch Home &a Family again! The way Hallmark went about letting Cristina go and replaced with Debbie was really dirty! Debbie has not worked very long on any show she has been on so why would you replace Cristina with her?? Bad decision and I really hope the president of Hallmark reads all these comments about how many have stopped watching the show and will not return!! This is one of the worst decisions Hallmark had ever made!!
I never liked Debbie and quit watching the show. She’s overbearing and immature. Good luck Christina. You made the show.
I wish to thank everyone here who keave messages every single day for the past ten months. I am still overwhelmed at the amount of support and conversation about me being fired from H&F. I’m not sure the president of Hallmark Bill Abbot takes the time to read how the viewers feel. It’s hard for me to even know since He has NEVER spoken to me since last June to let me know why this decision was made. So thank you helping me through this difficult time! If you wish please go to my Facebook to catch up! We can… Read more »
It still makes me so angry Cristina! Such a shame to completly distroy a lovely show. You were a delight, and made this show special. They really don’t deserve you. Best to you in every way, you are in my prayers.
I’m angry too! That show was like a blessing and they (Hallmark) wrecked it. My best to Cristina and we are all just waiting till your back on the air again.
I agree wholeheartedly!
One of the reasons I started watching H&F was because of you! You and Mark had such good chemistry. I lost interest after you left the show and don’t watch the show on a regular basis anymore. Something is missing and that’s YOU!! Best wishes to you!!
Maybe you should start up another show of your own!
I watched the show because you made me feel like we were old friends. I don’t like the show anymore. The show has gone downhill. You made the show not Mark.
I like Cristina Ferrare. I won’t be watching the show anymore.