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 think the executive producers forgot their audience. Well, let’s be honest…discounted their audience, all of us, the former supporters of a certain age, with money to spend, on the sponser’s products. My college and young adult daughters don’t watch the show and never will. So who are the producers hoping will watch? If I was a sponsor of the show, I would reconsider. Additionally, the chemistry is not the same between the hosts. And it seems as if their is no chemistry/connection with the at home audience either. She hasn’t figured out how often to look at the camera.… Read more »
Hallmark, are you listening to these unhappy viewers?!! Christina Ferrare was the best host that you could have had. Her age, sparkle, and likeability were perfect. Please bring her back on!!!!!
Again, please, please bring her back again….she was the reason I bought lots of the products on your show….she was one of the brightest lights in our daily life….I will be anxiously awaiting your decision reversal so I can resume watching the show and add it back to the top of my Playlist Favorites.
This is another way showing how this country is falling apart !! We do not need to change everything in our lives… for example, hearing someones voice is better than just texting on a phone, homemade apple pie is better than a frozen convenience one. Cristina is and was the show. Many others stated all her attributes that I agree. I would use stronger boos and hissing to the network but they would just remove my comment. SHAME Shame Shame !!! You just lost my watching !
The show is not the same without Cristina!!! I don’t know if I will keep watching. She was my favorite! She is so classy and unique! I really liked her and mark together. I have been trying to watch it but it’s just not the same. I will probably find something else to watch because I am losing interest.
I like Debbie. You made the show. I want you back asap hallmark you made a big mistake
This has become more than just about Cristina. It has become about all of us over 50 that don’t seem to matter. With Cristina on the show there was something for every age. She had class and was a good example for all young and old. Now it’s all about kids, fun, and how to make things none of us (over 50) would ever wear. I think this fight is needed to be a wake-up call to the TV world to see just how we feel. We have money to spend and time to watch so we should matter too.… Read more »
I so agree with you that this has gone way beyond the unfair treatment of Cristina and the blatant lies to the viewers! Hallmark has made it clear that they do not care for an older audience and that women can and should be replaced by younger women when they are considered to be too old by the network or any employer. This is incredibly insulting, demeaning and is certainly discrimination at the heart of it. I can no longer watch the show and it still makes me sad to say that because I really loved this show and praised… Read more »
This was such a let down. I have loved this show and recommended it to so many people; however, it is not the same. Christina and Mark were priceless together. She was such an inspiration and made watching the show so enjoyable. She is a lovely person and did not deserve to be fired. That’s crazy.
I am so disappointed that Cristina is not on the show anymore!!! She was my favorite person on the show.Everyone else is just a little to hyper.
I am absolutely shocked that you are no longer on the show. At first I thought you were just on vacation but now that I know you are no longer there I choose to not watch the show any more. I have watched you for years and will miss you very much. If you begin another show I will definitely watch it. All my best to you for the future.
I will no long watch home and family,Christina Ferrare , made the show , With her Grace, kindness, classic and elegance, on one can replace her. It is said to see her gone. The show will now last long.
I don’t understand why they wanted to replace Christina with Debby.. Why?? I always thought of Christina as a mother figure and loved watching her.. I don’t get it
Christina was the best person to watch on the show. She was funny and a good sport and classy to watch . I will not be watching Home and
Family any more now that she is gone. Terrible decision!
Big mistake, I no longer watch the show.
I have tried watching Home & Family now that Debbie is co-host & sorry, just not family anymore, don’t get me wrong, I think Debbie is great, but Christina is still #1, it’s almost like telling mom you’re to old to join our conversations, go away. I have not watched Home & Family but maybe a few times & only about 10 minutes, bring back Christina & you might get a lot of your previous viewers back.
I do not plan to watch Hallmark Home and Family anymore.. Christina was great and was not treated fairly. What is wrong with you people? Age discrimination—obviously!!!