Mayfair Supper Club is NOT Closing

Review-Journal's NEON and John Katsilometes accused by influencer of possible "clickbaiting" and misinformation after confusing announcement. We clear the air.

Screenshot from LasVegasBloggerAndi via Facebook

The news spread like wildfire, and even yours truly briefly fell for the rumors suggesting that MAYFAIR SUPPER CLUB at Bellagio Las Vegas was shuttering. It didn't take long for MGM Resorts to counter the gossip with an official announcement (above).

The confusion stemmed from an announcement by John Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (above), which led many to believe that the entire business was shuttering. In reality, the live production that takes place within the dining room is being replaced by another, causing for a pause in entertainment.

Katsilometes issued a clarification a few hours later (below), but not before some backlash. 

Online influencer VEGASSTARFISH uploaded a response that suggested Kats of possible "clickbaiting" and sloppy journalism. Screenshots are below, and you can watch the full video here. 

The field of journalism has changed a great deal in recent years. Anyone with a smartphone and internet access can instantly become a "reporter". Legitimate journalists face new pressures from "Like and Subscribe", "Search Engine Optimization", and the need to deliver breaking news before anyone else.

It's quite easy in our high-pressure era to unintentionally misreport the news. As journalists, we're aware more than ever of the consequences of our mistakes. It's unlikely that the R-J deliberately misled its readers, and John Katsilometes deserves credit for quickly issuing a revision. 

The lesson here is "Take each bit of news with a grain of salt. And always cross-reference or look for proof before sharing scoops." If this writer fell for it, you can, too.