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 will not be watching Home and Family. What they did to her is no excuse since she’s part of the family, supposedly they were all a Family.
Ever since Christina’s smiling face wasn’t on the show, I quit watching. She is so sweet, and the most welcoming person on television. Shame on the network. She was a model, wrote books, is a talented cook and just basically a gem of a person. I would cry discrimination if I was her…..dumped for a younger gal??? I will never watch again.
If I were Christina I would not return to this ignorant network even if they tried to get her back. It’s like a cheating spouse once they stab you in the back they can never be trusted. And the people on the show should have had her back. Shame on hallmark and her so called “friends” on the show. Booooo and let’s all watch the ratings drop together!
And furthermore I think your disloyalty toward a woman who drew so much traffic to home and family was disgusting. SHAME on you hallmark. I hope Christina finds am much better place with a network that “appreciates” talent. You people are idiots
I am so very upset and disappointed with the Hallmark Channel for this absolutely senseless decision to replace Christina in such a hurtful and ill advised way! She was the reason I watched this show – and NOT for the younger people like Debbie. Does Hallmark really know the meaning of Home? It was tuning in to see a real, mature, graceful, talented and warm woman like Christina that made Home and Family a relatable and enjoyable show. Sadly, I will no longer be a viewer. And I know I am not alone. God bless you, Christina! There is something… Read more »
Just very, very disappointed in H & F and with this decision to replace Cristina. She was the main reason I even started watching this program…as I was not a day time tv watcher but I got hooked! Sad to say I know longer will be tuning in. Hope Cristina gets another show soon.
Use to DVR everyday. No more. It will not be the same. Debbie is annoying sorry to say and Christina was the one who made the show. Not even Mark can do the job correctly without Christina. Poor decision, you will lose many viewers and probably some well known guests.
What a dumb move for H&F. Cristina was the essence of that show. This is how you treat family? What a sham. Count me out.
I will no longer watch Home and Family. It’s not the same without Cristina. She was the family in Home and Family.
NO longer watching. Horrible how they kicked Cristina to the curb. DM is nice enough but I just don’t care for her. I didn’t care for her on the View and the Insider and did not watch them.
Will no longer watch Home and Family
I will not be watching ‘Home & Family’ now that Cristina is no longer a co-host. She was my main reason for tuning in again. I had watched years ago when it was Cristina and Michael Burger. I also really like Kym and Lawrence, but just cannot watch without Cristina being there.
I have been missing Christina and was worried she might be ill? It’s rather disappointing that Hallmark would just ditch her like this! Of all stations, I would expect more compassion from them.
LOL if you ask me, Mark is the one who should be fired. he’s so bumbling and puts his foot in his mouth several times a day on that show. Unless he’s SUPPOSED to be that painfully awkward.
How disappointing! And might I add, disgusting! It’s obviously ageism. When a lovely, talented woman like Christina is replaced by a newer, younger, not as charming or interesting version of herself-what else could it be? Such a shame because I really enjoyed the show and was a regular viewer. Not anymore!
Although I’ll miss the whole gang, I will NOT be watching.