On ABC’s "The Bachelorette," it is a normal practice to go to the contestants’ hometowns so that the "Bachelorette" herself can meet the parents, family members and get a better feel of the backgrounds of the final few candidates.

Waukesha’s Nick Viall, a contestant vying to marry "Bachelorette" Andi Dorfman, brought the production crew from the show to Milwaukee recently. Contestant Nick, showed off some favorite spots from around the city, apparently stopping in at Lakefront Brewery, among other places.

On some of the popular spoiler web sites, where writers and readers offer what they think will happen, the site Reality Steve.com, was on the right wavelength when they reported that Viall would be in the final few contestants. Milwaukee, Waukesha and the surrounding area was going to get some time on the show from a taping in April.

SPOILERS

The Reality Steve site also ran video of the final two contestants – Josh Murray and Nick Viall - after the final episode was taped in May, before its airing. There, it had footage of both Josh and Nick talking about each other. Below is some of the audio of Nick Viall traveling on a plane back to Milwaukee:

"Because I sensed it throughout the whole thing … and I kept saying to her ‘I can’t wait til we’re in the real world … can’t wait til we get to do this stuff … we just go to, like, K-Mart and just chill … and don’t even have to worry about the, this other stuff, you know?’"

"And I just kept saying it, just cuz I wanted … you know … and I said to her, I’m like ‘You don’t think I …’ and then, you know, instead of arguing with her I said, ‘You know what? I disagree.’ And I just left it at that … You know, I didn’t try to change her mind, I’m just like, ‘I disagree,’" a seemingly dejected Nick said while being filmed.

"But she won’t  … it’s ok. I mean … for someone (inaudible) … it’s actually happened once …. ummmm, it was the guy with the girl. The guy changed his mind. They’re actually (inaudible) and now they’re still married. But, ummm … she’s incredibly stubborn … and if someone is passive aggressive and bottles it up, it probably … you know what I’m sayin?"

The entire video is here.

Whether or not Nick Viall is the runner up or the finalist doesn’t really matter in terms of exposure to Milwaukee. It can just be good to get some extra attention for our area on the national stage.

"It is always exciting to have ABC’s production companies … or Ellen’s … come to our area to interact with SE Wisconsin viewers.  It builds excitement for our shows and engages our viewers," said Jan Wade, WISN-TV Ch. 12 president and general manager. 

"And if they pick a local contestant, like what has historically happened with ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette,’ we can follow those folks throughout the entire process. I really just think it is great fun to follow a local Wisconsinite … out and about in recognizable local areas … showing off our great community to the rest of the country. It’s a total win/win for everyone."

PROMOTION: Michelle Rutkowski has been named the new programming director at WLUM-FM 102.1 in Milwaukee.

"Throughout the extensive interview process it was clearly evident that Michelle was the best candidate for the position as every finalist said musically and socially FM 102/1 is on point," Milwaukee Radio Alliance vice president and general manager Bill Hurwitz said in a statement.

"Trained and schooled by former FM 102/1 Program Director and predecessor Jacent Jackson in Milwaukee and Chicago, Michelle is the perfect person to take FM 102/1 to the next level.  I’m elated."

"SHARK TANK" OPEN CALL: Know someone who is clever, building solutions to everyday problems with ordinary products? If you do, try to get them to make a pitch.

Milwaukee inventors will be given the opportunity to do a 1-minute pitch of a business/product/idea to a member of the "Shark Tank" casting team — just like it is done on the show.

To apply at an open call, you must have a completed application packet before the open call at 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Art Museum on July 21.

On the show, contestants chosen by the casting team are able to give a presentation to the "Sharks" on the show in hopes they would offer to fund the idea or simply invest in a smaller business or project.

Only the first 500 contestants will be seen in Milwaukee, then the casting members will narrow down the finalists for a chance to be on the show this season.

The Sharks -- multi-millionaire and billionaire tycoons -- are: billionaire Mark Cuban, owner and chairman of AXS TV and outspoken owner of the 2011 NBA championship Dallas Mavericks; real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran; "Queen of QVC" Lori Greiner; technology innovator Robert Herjavec; fashion and branding expert Daymond John; and venture capitalist Kevin O'Leary.