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 TE ONLY ORIGINAL PROGRAM O HALLMARK THAT DOSN’T STINK. THERE MOVIES ARE JUST AWFUL. CHRISTINA MADE THE SHOW. REPLACING HER WTH DEBBIE M. IS A BIG MISTAKE. DEBBIE DON’T QUIT YOUR JOB AT CBS. THE SHOW WILL NOT LAST MUCH LONGER.
PEOPLE RESENT CHRISTINA BEING FIRED, AND, IT MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE A BACK STABBER.
All righty! Moderating my comment. Christina exudes a natural charm, class and loveliness which is rare in the world today, and virtually nonexistent on TV. She was the catalyst of the show and kept things moving smoothly, as well as creating a chemistry which made everyone feel as if they really were family and friends of the viewers. I looked forward to seeing her every day, but can easily find something else to do with my time now. I am a senior English teacher in a high school and my dummers are precious. I will no longer waste any of… Read more »
Although I agree with most of the comments made by other viewers, and Cristina is the BEST host, I believe that some of us may have been too hard on Debbie. It probably was age related that Hallmark let Cristina go, which is horrible. But is was NOT Debbie that fired Cristina. If not Debbie then it would have been someone else that we would have these bad feelings towards. After watching the afternoon show today and seeing Debbie’s reactions to a segment on bullying with two actresses I couldn’t help wondering if Debbie wasn’t getting some bullying of her… Read more »
I think Debbie’s salary went up enough to take the sting out of any bullying she may receive. I too feel Debbie is in a rough position- a la Deborah Norville, remember that mess?- However, she’s a big girl, and went into this eyes open. I never thought Debbie was bad. I enjoyed her in those brief segments on style, and also in the games. But she is not doing the job carrying the show in the manner Christina did. She just doesn’t have ‘it’. Somebody corporate thought she did. WRONG! I’m officially tired of the crying jags as well.
Hallmark, big mistake in getting rid of Christina, do not like Debbie – at all
Christina made the show, Christina was the reason I watched Home and Family — big-big mistake Hallmark
I’ll no longer watch the show
— big-big mistake Hallmark
Like a death in the Family, I feel like I just lost a friend, Christina was a friend.
Noticed, Mark is putting his hands on Debbie’s
Keep it a family show
I am sorry Christian will not be back. She was a great host and will truly be missed.
I, too, will not watch Home and Family anymore. Cristina was a great host and I am sorry she is gone. Hallmark, shame on you. I have been waiting for a reason that she has not been on and now I know that she is not coming back, so now at 7:00 am, Hallmark channel will be turned OFF.
I am very sorry that Christina will not be back. Sad.
mark split from his wife and now this ,,and yet they all act like everything is squeaky clean,, Christina they dont deserve you,, your real,,,i wish you well 😉
Until I read otherwise, as it appears now this is a case of age discrimination. So I will not watch Home and Family again. At very least, they could have given her a big sendoff and let her depart with some dignity, like they allowed Paige Davis to do. Not very respectful of Christina or her fans.
It IS age discrimination. Go to Maria Shriver’s Facebook page and view the video of her and Cristina cooking and discussing Cristina’s leaving. Warning: it will make you mad.
Hope Christina Ferrare and Marc Summers team up for a successful new show. He demonstrates the same great qualities as Christina. Good luck to both of you.
If I were Christina, I would have grave second thoughts about returning to a show like this one, that treated her so shamefully, along with the audience. There’s a lot they have to apologize for. Plus, I’ll bet Debbie would have to get gone. There goes THAT happy family.
Woody……still waiting for you to bring back Cristina Ferrare, won’t be watching until you do. She is the perfect co-host for Home and Family………what in the world were you thinking??? Oh, you weren’t!
I like both of them. This article doesn’t tell me why she was leaving. Networks used to provide an explanation out of common courtesy I’d like to know why the network decided they want a new co-host.
I liked Christina because she related to both younger AND older viewers. She has years of experience and still showed a humble, kind quality in her personality. I will miss her very much and must say the show just doesn’t interest me anymore!
I think getting rid of Christina was a big mistake. Do not like Debbie at all. Will no longer watch. I really enjoyed the show not anymore. Debbie you stabbed Christina in the back
Miss Cristina. The show is going down hill. I have lost interest. Bring Cristina back. Debbie was good at her segment. Cristina is the hostess.