Entertainment
After Dianna Russini exit, Times staffers slam Athletic’s ‘reflexive’ response to Mike Vrabel photos

The Gray Lady is feeling a little exposed, it seems.
Page Six hears that the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel scandal has caused some tension between New York Times staffers and the leadership of new stablemate the Athletic — with Times insiders grousing that the Athletic’s “reflexive” downplaying of the story embarassed Times journalists.
The Times bought sports site the Athletic in 2022 for around half a billion dollars, shut down its owns sports department and began, in effect, using the Athletic as its sports desk.
But in theory, the Athletic remains a separate entity under the Times’ umbrella, much like consumer vertical Wirecutter, which it acquired in 2013. Its staffer also don’t have to observe the official Times Code of Conduct.
As Page Six prepared to published photographs of the Athletic’s top NFL reporter Russini holding hands with New England Patriots head coach Vrabel at a luxurious Arizona resort, the Athletic’s executive editor, Stephen Ginsburg, told us, “These photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at the Athletic.”
(Russini and Vrabel — who are both married to other people — have denied that there was anything improper about the meetup, and have said that they were both with groups of other friends at the hotel, though nobody else appears in any of the photographs).
Two days later, we reported that the Times launched an investigation into the matter and that Russini had been sidelined until the probe could be completed.
“It was really embarassing for the Times,” said one insider, who told us that after the story broke it was a major talking point on various desks across the Times newsroom, “It raised a lot of concerns because its something that should be taken seriously and [the statement] made it seems as if they didn’t think it warranted investigation.”
Our source said that its drilled into Times staff that they have to avoid even the appearance of an improper relationship with sources, and that the photographs raised unavoidable questions about whether Russini had crossed that line.
They said that staff at the Athletic and the Times “should be abiding by the same standard,” because the Vrabel episode makes in clear that — while “the Times likes to pretend they’re separate” — readers don’t make a distinction.
“It’s frustrating that in this instance it comes back to bite us,” said the source, “It lays bare this fake distinction.”
The source was at pains to point out that the gripe isn’t about the Athletic staff. “Anyone could make a mistake [like Russini appeared to have done in the pictures],” they said, “Someone on the Times could just as easily do that.” “It’s about the leadship,” they said.
Russini resigned on Tuesday, posting a statement on X saying, “I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” the letter said. “When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful.”
“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” Russini continued, adding that she has “no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”
Meanwhile, Ginsberg told staff on Slack that he had begun an investigation as soon as he learned of the Vrabel issue, though “our instinct [was] to support and defend a colleague [publicly] while we continued to review the matter.”
He said that as “additional information emerged… new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.”
He said that the inquiry would continue even though Russini had quit the publication would “continue a standards review of Dianna’s work that [the Athletic editorial director for standards and editorial quality] Mike Semel is leading.”
A rep for the Times didn’t comment.
Entertainment
Why stars are flocking back to ‘outdated’ TV dramas
Like vinyl, broadcast TV may be en vogue again. Amid Hollywood contraction, old-school network jobs are suddenly sought after — or at least increasingly viewed as a steadier paycheck for Hollywood’s shrinking creative class.
“A lot of people who used to say to me, ‘I’m never doing a Law & Order show, I’m never doing that,’ are now like, ‘I’m trying to provide for my family. I’ve got two kids and I need to make sure I can put food on the table and still pay for this house,’” one top TV agent tells P6H.
Despite lacking coolness, broadcast jobs offer a level of stability streaming often cannot. “You’re not winning awards or getting nominated for anything if you’re doing a network show, but it pays the bills,” the agent said. “As much as it’s a dying medium, people still want to work there because you can have a consistent style of living and know what your life is like.”

NBC’s reboot of “The Rockford Files” is from Mike Daniels, who most recently was a co-showrunner of Peacock’s short-lived “Ponies.” His last network TV gig was in 2019 with the Jimmy Smits legal drama “Bluff City Law” (also on NBC). Greg Mottola is directing and producing the pilot — his most recent TV credits include a pair of high-profile streaming series, “Peacemaker” and “Nobody Wants This” — in his first network TV gig since he helmed the first three episodes of “Arrested Development.”
Allegra Edwards is co-starring in CBS’ vampire comedy “Eternally Yours,” following five-seasons on Amazon’s “Upload.” One of the bigger hits this past season, Fox’s “Best Medicine,” featured Josh Charles in his first network TV starring role since “The Good Wife.”

For younger actors, streaming still offers something broadcast largely does not: lead roles. “There’s no leads on network television shows for a 25-year-old girl,” the agent added. “But on streaming, you can be the lead of a show making a really good living at 20 or 25 years old.”
One of the biggest frustrations in streaming remains the long gaps between seasons. “You can shoot eight to 10 episodes in one year — after already waiting six months just to get to set — and then have 18 months between seasons,” the agent said. “So in three years, you’re shooting 16 episodes.”
For writers hoping to run their own shows, broadcast offers a stronger training ground, according to another TV lit agent. “You’re getting to produce earlier and you’re involved in production while you’re writing,” the agent said.
Yet another agent argued clients can no longer afford to be overly selective. “Back when all the streamers were launching, it was an arms race for talent,” the agent said. “We could negotiate huge deals and everyone was making money doing cool sh-t.”
Even so, fears remain that the networks could abandon scripted programming altogether in favor of sports and news, and sports-rights costs are expected to further erode scripted budgets. A fourth TV agent summed it up bluntly: “It all comes from somewhere, right?”
Entertainment
Kyle Richards says these under-$20 sunglasses are ‘giving Tom Ford’
Kyle Richards has access to practically any designer accessory under the sun, but she’s shopping these budget-friendly shades instead.
On a recent Amazon Live, the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” OG declared she’s done investing in pricey shades and prefers more affordable styles, like her go-to YMRFW Retro Aviator Sunglasses.
“I do not feel the need to buy any high-end, expensive sunglasses again,” she told viewers. “I get so many compliments on these.”

“They are giving Tom Ford,” she added of the sculptural sunnies, which ring in at well under $20 for a set of three. “I really do love these a lot, if I do say so myself.”
She even held up her personal pair on the Live, saying she’d worn them to the studio. (While she selected the all-black option, they also come tortoiseshell, leopard print and several other solid colors.)
Reviewers also give them high marks, with shoppers calling them “great quality” and a “10 out of 10.”
Richards’ “favorite” Amazon accessories also include the Vanlinker Aviator Polarized Sunglasses, which she assured viewers are very lightweight despite their trendy, oversized appearance.

“These are another beautiful frame that are an amazing price,” she said. “I just love these.”

As for her third “must-have”? Feisedy Retro Square Aviator Sunglasses, which come in a wide range of hues — including a dark green shade Richards raves about.
With sunnier days on the way, it’s safe to say she’s ready to start summer in style.
Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping
This article was written by Hannah Southwick, Commerce Associate Editor for Page Six. Hannah spies deals on actually affordable celebrity-worn styles, puts celebrities’ brands to the test and finds the beauty products that keep stars red carpet-ready. She consults stylists and industry pros — including celebs themselves — for firsthand product recommendations, trend predictions and more. In addition to writing for Page Six since 2020, her work has been featured in USA Today and Parade.
Entertainment
‘Squatters’ host Flash Shelton slams broken system that hands intruders the keys to your home

He thought it would be a simple call to law enforcement.
Instead, when intruders took over his late father’s home in 2019, “Squatters” host Flash Shelton says he was told there was nothing deputies could do.
The moment flipped everything he thought he knew about property rights, the reality TV star told Fox News Digital.
Shelton, who had moved his mother into his own home while the family was grieving, had an instinct to protect his family.
Shelton explained that what would shock most Americans isn’t just that squatters can occupy homes, but also how the law treats them once they’re inside.
“All of the rights, not just some of the rights, but all of the rights fall to the squatter,” he said.
Shelton added that many homeowners would be surprised to hear “that a squatter just has to create reasonable doubt to be given full rights as a tenant.
There isn’t a system in place that says that you have to have a lease, or you have to be able to show rent payments to be a tenant. That if you have possession you have rights.”
In his experience, homeowners don’t stand a chance.
“Squatters figure out different ways to take properties, and they know what to say,” Shelton noted. “The whole system is wrong.”
Shelton claimed some squatters even secure leases with false promises of paying rent. Once that lease is in place, he explained, they are treated as full tenants.
“Every single other contract would be null and void if you enter it, and you sign it under fraudulent means,” he explained.
“Originally, the system was designed because they were looking at homeowners as being rich, and they were looking at tenants as being poor,” Shelton said. “So they created a system to level those terms. But what they forgot is the fact that homeowners are not all rich and just because you own a mortgage, doesn’t mean that you have money. It is unfavorably unbalanced right now and it is failing homeowners.”
And when it comes to lawmakers who defend the system?
“I think they need to understand and try to relate to somebody that doesn’t have the money to go through these situations and understand that some of these people are losing homes over this because they can’t afford to fight.”
Shelton carved out a niche in the digital space as an anti-squatter activist turned content creator, gaining widespread attention for his viral “Squatter Hunter” videos. His popularity led to the creation of the A&E show “Squatters.” He used social media to shed a light on this homeowner issue by uploading viral TikTok confrontations with alleged squatters, YouTube long-form breakdowns of property disputes and collaborations with homeowners documenting eviction standoffs.
His latest venture, “Squatters,” focuses on him and his team as they help homeowners across the country.
While some critics have labeled Shelton’s tactics aggressive, he insists he operates within the law. When he first worked to get his parents’ home back, Shelton figured out a way to mirror the same legal framework he says squatters exploit.
“I had to take it into my own hands and figure it out, and I learned everything about squatters,” Shelton said. “I figured out that if they could take the house, I could take the house, and I was gonna go take my house back.”
Shelton recalled accusing him of being a vigilante as he took matters into his own hands.
“I do a lot to make sure that I am working within the guidelines of law,” he emphasized to Fox News Digital. “Not only to protect myself, but also to protect the homeowners.”
He added, “I am taking the laws and, in a way I’m doing similar to what like – squatters are taking a law that allows them to do something, and they are taking a home.”
“I am doing things in a legal way to take the home back, and I’m not going in with firearms in any way,” Shelton explained. “I am not putting myself or my team in harm. We are doing a lot of research to make sure that everyone is going to be safe … not everyone is going to agree with what I do. But how I defend what I do is preparation research and I do everything that I can to make sure that it’s safe and legal.”
With the premiere of “Squatters” on May 12, Shelton said his goal is to raise awareness and help families across America who can’t afford to fight.
“The thing that I’m most excited about the show is that it gives me an opportunity to bring even more awareness and most importantly, help more families across America,” he said. “Because I was bringing awareness prior to the show, but I think this just helps me take it to another level and a whole new audience. And it enables me to help more families.”
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