In what could be the most drama-inducing move to hit the internet in ages -- God willing -- Yelp has agreed to let businesses respond publicly to customers' critiques. Possibly in an effort to stave off continuing criticism of the alleged extorting business model, local enterprises can register for a free business owner's account. After an angry business owner posts a reply on the site, Yelp will alert the self-righteous reviewer by e-mail. And that? Is where the fun begins

While your Editor will enjoy the he-said/she-said battles over undercooked pork chops, some doubt that Yelp's latest move will change anything. Eater's Paolo Lucchesi says,"If there is any large-scale impact at all, allowing business owners -- that is, the ones that don't ignore Yelp -- to respond at will is likely to add to the already-overbearing white noise of the site."

Lucchesi goes on to say, "[L]et's face it, some restaurateurs can be just as petty/explosive as Yelpers." If not more so.