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 really think that is unfair. Age should never be a factor. Look at barbaras Wallace and so many others…..what a crock. You made that show.
I feel like I lost my best friend! I just can’t get over it. My mom has Alzheimer’s, and watches the back to back shows every morning. Her face lights up when she sees Christina. Something real and glowing comes through Christina, and somehow reaches mom when no one else can. Hallmark made a huge mistake here, and I’m sure they are already regretting it.
Not happy about the Hallmark replacing Cristina Ferrare w/Debbie will not be the same. Will tape n fly throughout what I want to watch only. Even if I continue to watch.
You just have to love Hallmark, huh?! This is the channel that runs (over and over and over and over and over) old sitcoms of “Golden Girls” and “Frazier” in which the characters are bed-hopping right and left, yet the network bleeps out the word “@$$” when it’s part of the bed-hopping character’s dialog! Hypocrisy much? Now they’ve decided that a stunning woman like Cristina – a woman who inspired viewers by demonstrating that we can still look fabulous and be enthusiastic contributors in life even as we age – is just too long in the tooth for their “image.”… Read more »
I’ve heard that she was “difficult” to work with.
This is typical gossip that gets circulated when something like this happens. Not everyone who gets let go is ‘difficult’. Sometimes it’s simply that the Suits want to take something good and make it better. They don’t believe the old saying that the enemy of good is better. It’s baloney. Someone in charge thought this turkey idea up. They may even have put out rumor that Christina was difficult to justify their actions. Baloney. Christina was good. Christina touched people like no one else did on that show. I think the Suit who thought this was making the show ‘better’… Read more »
I was on vacation for 3 weeks and come home to find out that Cristina is gone?!? Seriously? What in the Hell are the producers of Home & Family Thinking??!! She was one of the BIGGEST parts of this show that Made it Family!!!! If not THE Biggest. She’s the one who put Family in Home & Family!!!! Her happiness and warm glow was one of the greatest things about Home & Family, and she was second to none as a morning TV show host. Christina’s compassion for cooking was the reason I became a regular viewer of the show,… Read more »
I watched the original Home & Family years ago and was sad it was cancelled. I was so happy to see it back on and Christina from the original show was co-hosting. I don’t know what you were thinking by replacing her with Debbie. Debbie is too loud and every time they show a picture of her child she cries. She acts like she hasn’t seen her for days when actually her kid is on the set with her while she works. A luxury I didn’t have as a working single mother. She should quit the show and be with… Read more »
I’m not at all happy with the decision to replace Cristina. She WAS the show. Her replacement is not as personable. She’s too full of herself – not someone most women relate to. The View and the Chew will be the beneficiaries of your misguided decision. Watch your numbers fall. Viewers are not happy. I predict this will be the final season. Very sad.
What a horrible shame. I love Cristina. Why Hallmark did such a stupid thing is beyond me.
This is too sad. My husband and I re retired and loved watching Cristina and Mark. Cristina is far better as the lead host on the show. Debbie is over the top kind, but not a favorite of us or our friends who watched the show. We are no longer going to be tuning in……… I am 60 years old and have a long life ahead of me. Cristina, you are the best, so gracious and we miss you. So long Hallmark Channel.
Too bad, I liked her more because she reaches people my age. Now with the younger lady I don’t care to watch the show . Too bad you guys didn’t take the older viewers into consideration. We are more apt to do arts n crafts. Oh well! Goodbye Home and Family! No longer a viewer! Good luck on the show !
Huge Mistake !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christina you were the best 🙂
I have never written to a network before. I am so upset to see Christina was fired from the show. I loved her genuine charm and sensitivity. Bring her back! I will not be watching either.
It’s a big mistake to replace Cristina. She was always the main reason I watched the show. Not sure if I will continue to be as loyal.
I will definitely no longer watch the show. I feel that Hallmark made a huge mistake. Best wishes to Cristina.