By Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist Published Feb 12, 2014 at 3:11 PM

When we compare the Milwaukee market to others throughout the U.S., it is easy to call it small, even quaint, when pitting it against New York or Los Angeles with their millions of viewers and listeners.

We are spoiled here. Many of the people on the air could easily have moved on to larger markets. But, sometimes, they decide to stay here and put down roots.

Call it the "Wisconsin Nice."

The reason they stay could be as simple as they have family here. Or they have family nearby and Milwaukee is simply a good place to work. In terms of media, people in Wisconsin are loyal, they are friendly and they like the stations that they call their own.

Because of that talent pool in our backyard, different members of the media get tapped by national programs to participate or even fill in as a host.

This time around, it is Mike Heller who's been tapped on the shoulder.

Heller, part of the team at WOKY-AM The Big 920, will fill in for sports talker Dan Patrick today and Thursday on his national radio show.

Patrick is currently in Sochi, Russia, covering the Winter Olympics with NBC.

"Not only will be Heller be heard on Patrick’s 270 radio stations across the Premiere Radio Network, the show is also televised on NBC Sports Network as well as through the Artist Network on DIRECTV from Patrick’s famous man cave in Milford, Connecticut," the release from Clear Channel Media said.

Heller will also helm the Dan Patrick show, which is carried locally from 8 to 11 a.m. on The Big 920-AM in Milwaukee and The Big 1070-AM in Madison, on Friday, Feb. 21. The Mike Heller Show started on The Big 1070 in Madison and was part of the line up when The Big 920 was launched with a format change on WOKY-AM in early 2013.

In the bigger view, other programs feature members of the media from Milwaukee as well. WISN-AM 1130 afternoon host Mark Belling fills in for Rush Limbaugh, and Bill Michaels, heard on WSSP-AM 1250, is a featured guest on a number of sports panel discussions on ESPN and other national sports outlets.

The participation by area media members on national platforms is not only good for their own personal resumes, but it puts a positive light on Milwaukee as well.

POLITICAL HISTORY: Fox News Channel’s senior political analyst Brit Hume will host a one-hour special titled, "A Bush Family Album" at 9 p.m. Friday.

During the special, the personal scrapbook and World War II diary of former President George H.W. Bush will be presented by his wife and children, including former President George W. Bush, former First Lady Barbara Bush, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Neil Bush and Doro Bush Koch. 

Additionally, former President Bill Clinton will recall his memories of the 41st president throughout the program. 

PREVIEW: TVGN will head to the Philippines tonight for a sneak peak at the 28th season of "Survivor," where three all-new tribes will be split up by brains, beauty and brawn.

This exclusive preview will feature interviews with host Jeff Probst and all 18 contestants, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of this season’s Tribal Council set. The special is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. tonight.

Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist

Media is bombarding us everywhere.

Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.

The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.