Cristina Ferrare Out, Debbie Matenopoulos In, Did Hallmark Channel Keep Fans In The Dark?

On Hallmark Channel’s show Home & Family, Cristine Ferrare is out, and Debbie Matenopoulus is in. But did Hallmark Channel keep its fans in the dark? Fans of the show had tuned in daily, only to wonder where their favorite co-host, Cristina Ferrare was. Little mention had been made that Debbie was covering for her, and certainly no mention of Cristina being permanently out. Then on June 22, according to website TV Series Finale, Hallmark Channel announced that co-host Cristina Ferrare would be replaced by Debbie Matenopoulus. No explanation was given, nor did they reveal when the change would occur. Then, the very next day, co-host Mark Steines gave a quick announcement that Cristina was out and that Debbie would be replacing her, effective immediately. Ferrare had been inexplicably absent from the show for two weeks and once the announcement was made, she never returned for a goodbye or proper send-off from her fellow cast members.

Ferrare has long been a favorite on the show, with a devoted fan following. Cristina is a former model and host of local Los Angeles TV chat shows. She’s the author of several books, including Cristina Ferrare’s Family Entertaining. She joined the Home & Family show in 2012 when she replaced Mark Steines’ original co-host, Page Davis. Her replacement, Debbie Matenopoulus, is a former co-host of The View and Home & Family‘s resident lifestyle expert.

Michelle Vicary, EVP Programming and Publicity for Hallmark Channel, spoke briefly about Cristina Ferrare before announcing that Matenopoulus would be promoted to replace her. She gave no explanation, however, for ending Cristina’s time as co-host.

“Cristina Ferrare has been instrumental in making Home & Family one of daytime’s most popular lifestyle series. Her natural flair and expertise, along with her warmth and grace, set a standard for all of us at Home & Family, and we are forever indebted to her. Debbie has quickly become an audience favorite among our family of multi-talented lifestyle experts, and we look forward to her continued unique and exciting contributions going forward.”

With Cristina Ferrare out and Debbie Matenopoulus in, fans of the show, and of Cristina, are left wondering. They have been concerned, wondering if Ferrare was suffering from health problems or if she had been the one to decide on her exit. Some fans were immediately outraged that Hallmark Channel had fired Cristina and spoke out on social media accordingly.

@TMZ Would you get us the real story? Why was Cristina Ferrare fired from Hallmark's @HomeandFamilyTV ?

— Lisa (@Ellisa12) July 2, 2016

@billabbottHC @MichelleVicar Utterly DISAPPOINTED in @hallmarkchannel 's treatment of @CristinaCooks. Ageism.Not right.Below your standard.?

— NanK (@Clovergerl) July 2, 2016

https://www.facebook.com/cristina.ferrare.96/posts/1038041332938398

Cristina spoke out on her Facebook page and confirmed that she was not sick and that her exit had been Hallmark Channel’s decision and not her own.

“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!”

Fortunately, for fans of Cristina, her exit from Hallmark Channel is not goodbye. She’s currently doing a series of live Facebook videos with Maria Shriver that covers one of her deepest passions, cooking healthy recipes that implement nourishing foods that may be linked to prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Cristina Ferrare may be out from Hallmark, but she’s an active, vibrant woman with a mission and a presence and we certainly haven’t heard the last of her.

Do you believe Hallmark Channel was unjust in firing her or do you believe it was an example of ageism in Hollywood? Will you continue to watch the show without her? Sound off in the comments below.

[Photo by Araya Diaz/Getty Images]