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 no longer watch the show because I just don’t like the idea that Christine was replaced, as if she was a worn out shoe, for no apparent reason. She was great. I am disappointed in Hallmark and I am not turning on the Home & Family show again.
I miss Christina, she is a classic lady, dressed respectfully yet chic and I always looked for clothes similar as she gives inspiration to women like myself who are trying to make a graceful passage to being older. We are equal in age so I know I look excellent. Not too young, not too old. I will definitely miss her and while new cohost is very sweet I feel somehow cheated and wonder if it’s an “age” issue
Miss you Christina. The new lady is ok but I wil probably not watch that show again. Christina made Home and Family what it is now. No longer want to see it. I am so dissappointed in the Hallmark Channel. My husband and I watch it a lot
But this has ruined it for us. We love you Christina, God Bless, I hope we see you back!!!!!
It was a huge mistake to let Christine go. She is a class act and one of the reasons I watched H&F…you have lost a faithful viewer..very sad.
I think Christina made the show. I can’t believe she was fired. She made the show a real down to earth girl.I dont know if I can watch the show its not the same.Christina I Love you and miss you .Good luck Christina.
Debbie is to hyper no I will not watch anymore
I watch the whenever I’m home. I just retired I miss seeing Cristina.
Home and Family is saved as a Bookmark. I started to watch the show because of Christina. Please bring her back. Every show was a pleasure to watch and enjoy. I am stunned.
I will not be watching Home and Family any longer since finally learning Christina has been let go! Why? Would love to know more about Hallmark crushing Christina’s career…not fair or warranted!!! Christina and Mark had such charisma together and that is extremely rare to see on TV. Would also like to hear Mark’s side of the story…bet he had no say so in Christina’s firing but he knows the truth of the incident. Hallmark handled entire situation very badly. I will give up watching this channel’s whole viewing shows. Have been a fan of Christina’s since she played on… Read more »
I will miss Cristina on the show…sorry they did that. I love Hallmark and watch the movies all the time, but have not watched this show a lot. I did watch the week of the Dollywood shows and thoroughly enjoyed it as I am originally from East TN. I do not feel this show is for older women ( such as I ) and I have not gotten into the habit of watching. I quilt, read and cook well so…. Lately I have gotten into the ancestry deal. Good luck to Cristina in whatever she does…she has a strong family… Read more »
Christina was the heart of the show. I don’t want to say anything against Debbie, certainly felt that she was part of the show, just not host capacity. I started watching Home and Family years ago because I hated watching the network shows where everyone tried to talk over each other and make sure that they were heard. Debbie is like that. She makes sure that she says what she wants to and then hurries the guest along like they were taking too much time. But I found that since Christina left all the family members try to talk over… Read more »
Sorry to hear she has left. I did not watch it all the time so probably won’t watch much now that she has left. I am older and I do not feel it is necessarily a show for older women. Cristina I was familiar with and it was a delight to watch her on the shows at Dollywood with Dolly, etc. I am from East TN originally, so I definitely watched that week. Again, sad to hear about Cristina, but know she is secure with her family and friends in CA.
Very, Very disappointing that Cristina is not an H&F anymore – Debbie is OK as a regular, but she is NO Cristina!! Sounds like age discrimination to me…I wlil NOT be watching anymore!!
miss seeing you. best to you.
I will no longer watch the show. I love you Hallmark, but you missed the mark (so to speak) on this move. I’ve given the show weeks of chances since the change and it’s just not good television.