Bob Brunner, a writer-producer on the classic "Happy Days" TV show, who came up with the catch phrase "Sit On It," named Henry Winkler's "Fonzie" and suggested that the character should jump a shark in a now-infamous 1977 episode, has died of a heart attack. He was 78. When "Happy Days" returned in 1977, it was TV's No. 1 show. But then, the writers decided to set the season-opening three-part episode in Hollywood, where Fonzie is invited to take a screen test. In one storyline, he engages in a water-skiing challenge with a local kid and, as a tiebreaker, has to jump a shark in a netted area in the ocean. The phrase "jump the shark" has since come to signify the precise moment when a popular TV show begins its inevitable decline. Outside of "Happy Days," Brunner also wrote for such TV shows as "The Odd Couple," "Laverne and Shirley," and ""Diff'rent Strokes.
- 11/8/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
Happy Days writer and producer Bob Brunner has died at the age of 78. A frequent collaborator with director Gary Marshall, Brunner was best known for his work on the 1970s sitcom which starred Henry Winkler and Ron Howard, as well as actors Marion Ross, Don Most, Erin Moran and Anson Williams. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brunner died from a heart attack in his Northridge, California home on October 28. Brunner produced thirty-seven episodes of Happy Days, fifteen of which he wrote. He is credited with inventing the nickname for Winkler's 'Fonzie' character, as well as (more)...
- 11/8/2012
- by By Zeba Blay
- Digital Spy
Bob Brunner, a writer-producer on the classic ABC sitcom Happy Days who named Henry Winkler's "Fonzie" but also -- as legend has it -- suggested the character jump a shark in a now-infamous 1977 episode, has died. He was 78. Brunner, who teamed often with Happy Days creator Garry Marshall -- the two met in 1959 while working as copyboys for The New York Daily News -- died Oct. 28 of a heart attack near his home in Northridge, Calif., according to Heather Hall, a longtime Marshall staffer at his Henderson Production Company and the Falcon Theatre in Burbank. Photos: Hollywood's Notable
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- 11/8/2012
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In line with their far-reaching marketing skills, Beats by Dre knows how to throw a press event. In an event at the company's glossy pop-up-turned-permanent store in Manhattan's SoHo district, principals Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre and president Luke Wood, along with VP of Marketing Omar Johnson and chief designer Robert Brunner rolled out three new products, but also expounded at length about the company, its history, its perfectionism and philosophy. Story: Trent Reznor Signs With Columbia For 'How to Destroy Angels' Releases The main takeaways, beyond the release of the BeatsPill, the Executive headphones and upgraded
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- 10/17/2012
- by Jem Aswad, Billboard
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Of the many labels pegged to Lady Gaga--pop star, fashion icon, provocateur--here's one title you might not expect to see on her résumé: creative director at Polaroid. The "Bad Romance" superstar teamed with the camera and eyeware company this time last year, and at the Consumer Electronics Show on Thursday, we finally got to see the fruits of this unlikely collaboration.
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As part of a new suite of products called Grey Label, Gaga and Polaroid unveiled a digital camera with a throwback design and, most impressively, a set of camera sunglasses with two embedded 1.5" LCD displays. The glasses (pictured) act as a wearable camera, and can snap pictures, be pre-loaded with slideshows and video, and are meant to enable real-time photo sharing.
To develop the products, Gaga worked closely with Polaroid and design firm Ammunition LLC, known for developing the popular Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Here's how that collaboration played out.
[youtube utYMN4CNtOM]
As part of a new suite of products called Grey Label, Gaga and Polaroid unveiled a digital camera with a throwback design and, most impressively, a set of camera sunglasses with two embedded 1.5" LCD displays. The glasses (pictured) act as a wearable camera, and can snap pictures, be pre-loaded with slideshows and video, and are meant to enable real-time photo sharing.
To develop the products, Gaga worked closely with Polaroid and design firm Ammunition LLC, known for developing the popular Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Here's how that collaboration played out.
- 1/8/2011
- by Austin Carr
- Fast Company
Beats by Dr. Dre is huge. The Monster-developed, Dre-approved, Robert Brunner-designed headphones have been a big hit--there's hardly an airplane you can fly without seeing some passenger bopping along wearing the black-and-red earmuffs. But just in case the Compton-born hit-maker hadn't already cornered the celebrity endorsed headphone market, we continue to see more and more artist branding in the space. When will it stop?
First came DiddyBeats, the design inspired by--you guessed it--P. Diddy. Then Heartbeats, à la Lady Gaga. Then JustBeats, courtesy of Justin Bieber. Then PowerBeats, thanks to Lebron James. Quincy Jones' Harman Signature Headphones. And that's not to mention the headphones made specifically for Bono's Product Red charity.
Many of these products were unveiled at last year's Consumer Electronics Show--this year's CES is no different. Mimicking the success of Monster Beats, Sleek Audio has leapt in the ring with a pair of wireless headphones...
First came DiddyBeats, the design inspired by--you guessed it--P. Diddy. Then Heartbeats, à la Lady Gaga. Then JustBeats, courtesy of Justin Bieber. Then PowerBeats, thanks to Lebron James. Quincy Jones' Harman Signature Headphones. And that's not to mention the headphones made specifically for Bono's Product Red charity.
Many of these products were unveiled at last year's Consumer Electronics Show--this year's CES is no different. Mimicking the success of Monster Beats, Sleek Audio has leapt in the ring with a pair of wireless headphones...
- 1/6/2011
- by Austin Carr
- Fast Company
Photo by Showtime
Is it possible to atone for one’s sins by preventing someone else from making the same mistakes? Check out Michael Mahoney’s review of “First Blood” here.
“First Blood” is the fifth episode of the fifth season of Dexter. We find Dexter dealing with and helping Lumen, Harrison drawing blood, Batista suspecting his wife of infidelity, and more dead bodies found, presumably killed by the Santa Muerte Killer that the Miami police have been looking for.
Dexter and Harrison are playing with other parents and children, and one of the other children ends up with a small cut on his face, which Harrison is responsible for, hence the title (“First Blood”) of the episode.
Dexter takes Lumen out for coffee, and he tries to convince her to leave town and go home to the people who care about her. She tells him that she can’t do that.
Is it possible to atone for one’s sins by preventing someone else from making the same mistakes? Check out Michael Mahoney’s review of “First Blood” here.
“First Blood” is the fifth episode of the fifth season of Dexter. We find Dexter dealing with and helping Lumen, Harrison drawing blood, Batista suspecting his wife of infidelity, and more dead bodies found, presumably killed by the Santa Muerte Killer that the Miami police have been looking for.
Dexter and Harrison are playing with other parents and children, and one of the other children ends up with a small cut on his face, which Harrison is responsible for, hence the title (“First Blood”) of the episode.
Dexter takes Lumen out for coffee, and he tries to convince her to leave town and go home to the people who care about her. She tells him that she can’t do that.
- 10/26/2010
- by Crit Obara
- TVovermind.com
From Left Brunton SolarPort, Regen Renu, Regen Revu | Photographs by Plamen Petkov
From Left: Hsqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid, Schott Asi Glass | Photographs by Plamen Petkov
After decades of design neglect, the next wave of solar gear finally gets a blast of style.
From Left: Regen ReVerb, Regen ReBop, Samsung Blue Earth | Photographs by Plamen Petkov
Solar energy got hot in the 1980s. The economic sting of the oil embargo was still fresh and the air was thick with tax credits, so Innovation Nation put on its thinking cap and began harvesting the resources that were literally falling from the sky: the 1,366 watts of solar energy that constantly rain down on every sunny square meter of earth. Smelling opportunity in those free-flowing photons, huge companies jumped into the sun business. In 1984, the energy giant Arco teamed up with Fluor, the engineering conglomerate, to erect what was the largest solar farm in the world,...
From Left: Hsqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid, Schott Asi Glass | Photographs by Plamen Petkov
After decades of design neglect, the next wave of solar gear finally gets a blast of style.
From Left: Regen ReVerb, Regen ReBop, Samsung Blue Earth | Photographs by Plamen Petkov
Solar energy got hot in the 1980s. The economic sting of the oil embargo was still fresh and the air was thick with tax credits, so Innovation Nation put on its thinking cap and began harvesting the resources that were literally falling from the sky: the 1,366 watts of solar energy that constantly rain down on every sunny square meter of earth. Smelling opportunity in those free-flowing photons, huge companies jumped into the sun business. In 1984, the energy giant Arco teamed up with Fluor, the engineering conglomerate, to erect what was the largest solar farm in the world,...
- 11/16/2009
- by Paul Hochman
- Fast Company
Here's some of the best-designed stuff available for your July 4th BBQ.
July Fourth! The birth of our country, marking the fateful day, some 233 years ago, when we slipped the shackles forced upon us by the crafty, snaggle-toothed British. And also, the beginning of outdoor grill season. Here's a selection of the best-designed accessories. Maybe they'll inspire you to step up and stimulate this economy, patriot.
The best outdoor grill we've ever seen, hands down, is Alessi's Barbicu designed by Piero Lissoni. It's a modular kit, and the the stand can be used both vertically and horizontally, for stand-up and table top cooking. Alessi also sells a range of handsome accessories, including grill tools:
In terms of ergonomics and versatility, the Element by Fuego--designed by Ammunition, headed by our design blogger Robert Brunner--is pretty great. There's a slide out tray right below the gas-powered grill, while the grill itself...
July Fourth! The birth of our country, marking the fateful day, some 233 years ago, when we slipped the shackles forced upon us by the crafty, snaggle-toothed British. And also, the beginning of outdoor grill season. Here's a selection of the best-designed accessories. Maybe they'll inspire you to step up and stimulate this economy, patriot.
The best outdoor grill we've ever seen, hands down, is Alessi's Barbicu designed by Piero Lissoni. It's a modular kit, and the the stand can be used both vertically and horizontally, for stand-up and table top cooking. Alessi also sells a range of handsome accessories, including grill tools:
In terms of ergonomics and versatility, the Element by Fuego--designed by Ammunition, headed by our design blogger Robert Brunner--is pretty great. There's a slide out tray right below the gas-powered grill, while the grill itself...
- 7/2/2009
- by Cliff Kuang
- Fast Company
In his recent post, "Design is Too Important to be Left to Thinkers," Robert Brunner made a good point about how every Tom, Dick, corporate strategist, and engineer is now calling himself a "design thinker." This issue needs a deeper look.
In 1921, Albert Einstein won a Nobel Prize for his work on the photoelectric effect, based on a paper he published in 1905. The physics behind every solar panel was effectively described and understood by Einstein. Does that mean Einstein was a designer?
I'm guessing if he were living today, many design institutions and pundits would rush to declare him "The Grand Designer of All Things Solar!" However, I would disagree. Einstein is obviously one of humanity's greatest minds, absolutely the gold-standard for creative thinking, and one seriously interesting character.
Still, not a designer.
Think of another example: Rembrandt's fabulous painting, The Night Watch. It was commissioned by Captain Frans Banning...
In 1921, Albert Einstein won a Nobel Prize for his work on the photoelectric effect, based on a paper he published in 1905. The physics behind every solar panel was effectively described and understood by Einstein. Does that mean Einstein was a designer?
I'm guessing if he were living today, many design institutions and pundits would rush to declare him "The Grand Designer of All Things Solar!" However, I would disagree. Einstein is obviously one of humanity's greatest minds, absolutely the gold-standard for creative thinking, and one seriously interesting character.
Still, not a designer.
Think of another example: Rembrandt's fabulous painting, The Night Watch. It was commissioned by Captain Frans Banning...
- 6/23/2009
- by Gadi Amit
- Fast Company
I am waiting at an intersection in my car in a quiet San Francisco neighborhood, when a well-dressed, professional looking woman jumps out of her new Mercedes Sl ahead of me. She reaches into the back seat, grabs a big armful of clothes (no bag) and runs up to the doorstep of a Goodwill outpost on the corner and unceremoniously dumps them aggressively in a scattered mess on their doorstep. She runs back to her still running car, jumps in and speeds off.
I think: Amazing.
Over the previous 48 hours I have observed multiple instances of seemingly normal people behaving badly, although lately this seems somehow normal. But this latest incident strikes me. In a moment of giving, this lady manages to be unbelievably rude.
I am not sure about you, but it feels to me that uncivilized behavior is clearly on the rise. But the clothes-dumping Mercedes lady causes...
I think: Amazing.
Over the previous 48 hours I have observed multiple instances of seemingly normal people behaving badly, although lately this seems somehow normal. But this latest incident strikes me. In a moment of giving, this lady manages to be unbelievably rude.
I am not sure about you, but it feels to me that uncivilized behavior is clearly on the rise. But the clothes-dumping Mercedes lady causes...
- 6/11/2009
- by Robert Brunner
- Fast Company
In my work I get to experience a lot of companies. Big and small, new and old, tech and craft, domestic and international. All over the place. And more often than not, people come to us wanting to understand and learn about how to be "design-driven." Apparently somewhere along the line they have heard/read/been told that this is important, and now they want the secret sauce. I am happy to oblige. It is really very simple (but actually very hard to do). Here it is. Ready? Make great design everybody’s job. Done. Most companies look at design as a single step in the process to deliver a product. The better ones also view it as a corporate identity or brand function to control their outward image. But typical management thinking puts these functions into vertical buckets, and/or as a police function to ensure consistency and rule-keeping.
- 6/10/2009
- by Robert Brunner
- Fast Company
Now that I have your attention with that bit of blasphemy in the title, let me explain.
First of all, I love Apple. I am one of their loyal followers who buys way too much of their product regardless of the price or if I actually need it. I am the perfect customer. Obviously, Apple consistently turns out wonderful products of incredible caliber. The company uses design to its fullest potential and has in many ways become the benchmark. In fact, I was slammed for using them too many times in my book as a positive example.
But this post is not actually about Apple. It is about everybody else.
Not Apple enough? Telsta Columbo Dect phone
Here's the gist: Apple has been so successful in design, that to many people if something does not resemble an iPhone, iPod, MacBook, etc., it is not "good design." If it is not an uber-simple,...
First of all, I love Apple. I am one of their loyal followers who buys way too much of their product regardless of the price or if I actually need it. I am the perfect customer. Obviously, Apple consistently turns out wonderful products of incredible caliber. The company uses design to its fullest potential and has in many ways become the benchmark. In fact, I was slammed for using them too many times in my book as a positive example.
But this post is not actually about Apple. It is about everybody else.
Not Apple enough? Telsta Columbo Dect phone
Here's the gist: Apple has been so successful in design, that to many people if something does not resemble an iPhone, iPod, MacBook, etc., it is not "good design." If it is not an uber-simple,...
- 6/9/2009
- by Robert Brunner
- Fast Company
Recently, at a conference reception (think wine and cubes of cheese), a well-known and influential member of the academic community said to me: "Design strategy is far too important to be left to designers." What a pile of crap, I think. I am pissed, but in a moment of cowardice, I sip my wine, chew my pepper jack, and slink off to lighter conversation. If only I were able to channel Clint Eastwood at will.
But since then I've been considering this notion of "design thinking" by non-designers and its aura of self-importance. You know, it's an area where really smart people spend lots of time pondering strategy, process, core principles, world trends, etc. in order to define the next big thing and change the course of human history. Entire schools have sprung up devoted to the idea.
I'll come right out and admit that I am a right brain,...
But since then I've been considering this notion of "design thinking" by non-designers and its aura of self-importance. You know, it's an area where really smart people spend lots of time pondering strategy, process, core principles, world trends, etc. in order to define the next big thing and change the course of human history. Entire schools have sprung up devoted to the idea.
I'll come right out and admit that I am a right brain,...
- 6/8/2009
- by Robert Brunner
- Fast Company
Grilling season is nigh upon us, which means it's a sad time in New York. Like many big cities with high rents and hyper-vigilant fire codes, balconies where a burger-craving apartment dweller could set up a little grill are in short supply. At least in my neighborhood.
Which is why when Robert Brunner, founder and creative director of the San Francisco-based design firm Ammunition, showed me his cunning little Element grill from Fuego it nearly broke my heart. The 24,000 Btu, dual-burner charmer looks a little like R2D2, and comes with four different cook-top options, including a pizza stone. It comes in red! I'm ready to move to the suburbs, just to have one.
Brunner's products tend to inspire that kind of devotion. Just look at his pedigree: as director of industrial design at Apple in 1989, he founded the Apple Industrial Design Group. He and his team developed the original Macintosh PowerBook,...
Which is why when Robert Brunner, founder and creative director of the San Francisco-based design firm Ammunition, showed me his cunning little Element grill from Fuego it nearly broke my heart. The 24,000 Btu, dual-burner charmer looks a little like R2D2, and comes with four different cook-top options, including a pizza stone. It comes in red! I'm ready to move to the suburbs, just to have one.
Brunner's products tend to inspire that kind of devotion. Just look at his pedigree: as director of industrial design at Apple in 1989, he founded the Apple Industrial Design Group. He and his team developed the original Macintosh PowerBook,...
- 6/8/2009
- by Linda Tischler
- Fast Company
Ten years ago, before the iPod and the iPhone became objects of the world's electro-lust, Jonathan Ive sat down with Fast Company to talk about his first Apple blockbuster, the iMac. The machine could not have been a more radical departure from the ubiquitous beige-box PC: a desktop computer in bright candy colors with a see-through shell showing its inner machinery. Bursting onto the scene with all the subtlety of a streaker, the iMac became the top-selling computer in the United States.
"With technology, the function is much more abstract to users," Ive, then 32, told us. "So the product's meaning is almost entirely defined by the designer." Even then, it was clear that Apple's head of design knew what he was doing. Ive defined his overarching design principles as "simplicity, accessibility, honesty, and enjoyment."
Today, Apple represents the most successful and faithful marriage of business and design, as $32 billion in sales last year attest.
"With technology, the function is much more abstract to users," Ive, then 32, told us. "So the product's meaning is almost entirely defined by the designer." Even then, it was clear that Apple's head of design knew what he was doing. Ive defined his overarching design principles as "simplicity, accessibility, honesty, and enjoyment."
Today, Apple represents the most successful and faithful marriage of business and design, as $32 billion in sales last year attest.
- 5/22/2009
- Fast Company
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