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 no longer am watching Home and Family. Christina was amazing. i do not like the new co host. It seems in this world after you are 50 they replace you like a new sink. I’m mad, upset and i always enjoyed the show. It is no longer being recorded to watch. I am done. You really made a big mistake by replacing Christina. I will never watch it again.
I am disgusted with how unprofessional you are, I feel like my eyes have been opened and will not watch your channel any more! All my friends and family agree that Hallmark isn’t what it used to be! How sad!! (Watch your backs Kimmy, ken, garden-gal , and “HollyWood steals” remember when it was “?!, products lady) Lol. (I even ordered products from that segment)!! NO MORE!!! You lost out big time Hallmark!!! I will search for a better home show, now! Wow. Dumb mistake, dumb!
horrible decision show must be cancelled
I can not patronize a company that treats an employee in such a manner. Hallmark has been a
part of my life for as long as I can remember (I am 61 yrs. old). I have written to Crown Media and expressed my disbelief in how Cristina was treated – the deceitful manner in which the whole situation was handled. I have always held Hallmark in higher regard. Very disheartening.
Couldn’t agree more, Barb. Disheartening to say the least.
Claudia you need to watch Maria Shriver’s Facebook page to see the live streaming of her and Christina and the real reason why Christina was fired from the home and family show! Great show by Maria and Christina! Maria really let hallmark have a great lunch! The true colors came out today I was
Everyone, watch the video of Cristina and Maria on Maria’s Facebook page. Awesome.
I so hate to see Christina go. Everyone loved her. They often referred to her as the heart and mother of the show. She truly was. It isn’t going to be the same without her.They kept saying how much they were family. I believed them….So much for family. Guess there was no truth to that. You don’t treat family the way they treated Christina. I will really really miss her heart and her beautiful smiling face. I’m not sure if I will continue to watch. Woody has no heart and no loyalty to his family. I do like Debbie. She… Read more »
Debbie M. is lovely, but Christina put the heart into Home and Family–I’m thinking of not watching the show–it’s just not the same without Christina–it’s so weird, no one mentions her, a proper send off would have been nice. It’s like she dropped off the face of the earth–very strange and disappointing!
I feel the Home and Family Network isn’t worried about all the comments..
They think everyone will get over it..Debbie is funny to a point but I get so weary of her. It’s not the same without Cristina. I have moved on to other things. Life without Home and Family is just fine..
Reading all of these “pro-Christina” comments, I am so hoping that everyone who says they are DONE with Hallmark and/or the Home & Family show will absolutely mean it & boycott the channel or @ least the show to prove to the network geniuses that we are NOT going to get over it. I pray that they become the Biggest Losers and the show tanks. I agree with Betty that the network bigwigs are betting that the viewing public will “get over it”
I am devastated Cristina is leaving the show and so are my friends ! I think it is a big mistake and I probably won’t watch it anymore . Very sad .. She made much of the show great with her beauty, grace elegance and wonderful personality ! I’ve already lost interest in the last few weeks and now that I know she’s not coming back I won’t either ‘
Wow, I feel that the network has made the WRONG move. and Cristina’s personality will be missed and she offered viewers a great variety of topicsl I loved her cooking. The way the change brings back memories of how the Michael left on Live with Kelly! Debbie I am sure can do the job but she doesn’t have the personality for a long term assignment. I am already sick of her saying “Mama would say, the juice from 2 lemons”. She can’t carry the cooking segments of many of the other topics. She’s a “drama queen” who puts herself up… Read more »
I am very disappointed in Home and Family/Hallmark Network. Christina was not treated like family.
No longer Home & Family, now it is known to me as Home & Fakes!! This is not how decent people treat family. Why would Debbie want Cristina’s position under such a horrible leaving? Appears not is all that Homey & Family like behind the scenes. Will no longer be watching the HOME & FAKES show.
Hallmark is heartless! I will no longer watch your channel after how rude you were to Christina!! Bad, bad move!! Did you all forget your christian values??
I liked Cristina and feel Hallmark did a poor job of letting her go. She should have had a farewell program out of respect for all the years she put into the show.
I am very sorry to hear that Christina is off the show. I think you made a BIG mistake. This show is all about “Family” and her abrupt dismissal was a slap in the face to her. You have lost a viewer.