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 loved Christina; a fun loving, down to earth woman. I no longer watch the show, and it is a good show. I miss her.
Cynthia, it’s Kim’s husband who’s on the Young and the Restless,not Cristina’s!! I do agree with your other comments.
I do not watch. Debbie should be ashamed of herself. Christina treated her like a daughter. She is a sweet lady and missed very much. I also love her husband who plays on Young and the Restless. I wish he had not died on the show.
I used to love Home and Family. Now that Cristina is gone I no longer watch the show!
Hallmark, what were you thinking?! Cristina had so much class!!
Christina should have never been replaced. I loved her outlook on family. I don’t watch the show anymore because I miss her fun and jovial personality.
Hallmark never should’ve replaced Cristina. What message are they sending?? That it’s not OK for woman to age..when they do, they’re replaced. By a younger woman. When a man gets older..NO PROBLEM.
It’s an age old problem and shameful part of of our culture.
SHAME ON HALLMARK.
I miss Christina. Debbie is ok as supporting contributor but talks to much and over everyone else as host. Don’t watch anymore everyday. Loved show with cristina.
My husband and I use to watch Home and Family together but since Cristina was asked to leave and now you have Debbie on as co-host he does not watch it with me any longer as we both think Debbie is soooo aggressive and steps all over Marks lines and is so loud! She is not respective to Mark, the only reason I still watch is cause I love the rest of the cast and of course love, love Mark and I am so happy for him and Julie! Please, Please bring Cristina back!!!
I am very unhappy that Ferraer was fired from the show. Everyone liked her that I knew. Is there some reason Hallmark think we don’t deserve an answer?
I’m very sad that the network didn’t at least have her co host with Debbie. Simply to let her go was unfair to all who enjoyed what she brought to the awesome show. I’ve followed her for many years. She’s why I started watching your show. I don’t watch as often now, sadly.
I love the shows but I really miss Cristina she. Was better n classy host, the show will never be the same . Berry bad move.
Loved cristina but Debbie Matenoploulos is a much better choice. Love the show
I hate the new show. I have tried to watch, but this Debbie person thinks she has to be in every shot. She’s just awful. Who does she think she is? Cristina was so great and up scale. Just wanted you to know I’ve stopped watching not only because the way you did Cristina (awful), but Debbie just makes me mad. Surely you could do better. She’s in everyone’s face. For god sakes, get rid of her.
NO longer watching, I am disgusted at the way in which this was handled. Christina was the heart of the show.
I stopped watching out of respect for Christina. What the Hallmark channel did was terrible. My good thoughts and prayers go out to her. When all is better I would love to see her host her own show!