David Gerrold has almost written a book for every one of his 72 years.
"According to my database, and I've forgotten the latest numbers, but there are 55 books and over a hundred stories, novellas and novelettes and hundreds of articles," he says, and laughs. "I like to talk too much so instead I write it down. That way people can't interrupt me."
But there's one thing above all that keeps his name in lights. You see, he's perhaps most known for writing the episode of Star Trek that everyone can recall:"The Trouble With Tribbles." The word "iconic" may be overused to celebrate pop-culture touchstones -- OK, it is -- but not in this case; the episode is lauded as the most popular episode of the original series. It's included in the latest and greatest Star Trek box set, which was released this week.
The Star Trek Anniversary TV and Movie Collection bowed on Sept. 6. The set includes 30 discs with every movie (Star Trek I through Star Trek VI) and TV show made with the original crew. And that includes the animated series -- of which Gerrold was also a writer -- and more than a dozen hours of extras. The first episode of the original series debuted 50 years ago on Sept. 8, 1966.
So, it's really only natural that any talk with Gerrold turns to "The Trouble With Tribbles." To be clear, he does not have trouble talking about Tribbles. The conversation serves as an entry point.
"When people start talking about Tribbles, I kinda 'Yes, yes, yes ... and by the way, I've written some other stuff since then'," he says and laughs.
And they let him talk. Who wouldn't? Gerrold is a titan of science fiction: In TV, he created the Sleestaks on Land of the Lost and wrote for Sliders. His "55 books" include the semi-autobiographical The Martian Child, about "the adventure of discovering what it means to be a parent," which was made into a 2007 film starring John Cusack. He's putting the finishing touches on another book right now, Book 5 of the seven-book The War Against the Chtorr.
He lists others: Jacob, a story about how a vampire picks his partner, and thirteen fourteen fifteen o'clock, about "the search for what it means to be a human being."
He has a favorite, though, and it's not what you'd think.
"It's always the one I've got in front of me at the keyboard," he says. "It's always the next story."
But, yeah ... and, beg pardon ... let's get back to those Tribbles.
There's a story behind Gerrold's story about those furry little creatures that kept multiplying on the humor-filled episode. (And books: Gerrold's The Trouble With Tribbles: The Story Behind Star Trek's Most Popular Episode and The World of Star Trek.)
To make a long story short, Gerrold has several theories as to why the episode resonates with fans and Trekkies (not the same thing).
1. It all started because he loves animals.
"I raised a lot of animals as a kid. I always wondered why there were no pets on the Enterprise," he says. "Well, what kind of pets would they have? And then I thought about rabbits in Australia and that there's a funny story. What happens when the rabbits get out of control? There are no predators.
"One thing led to another. I pitched the story to Star Trek. ... I had no idea it would turn into this great big phenomenon. I literally said the night that it aired, 'It's only one episode of one TV show. Who's gonna remember it in 20 years'?"
2. You're gonna laugh.
"We get to see the lighter side of our characters," he says. "Everybody likes to see people having a good time and laughing."
3. There's a villain of the piece.
"... We also get to establish the Klingons as a permanent nemesis and have some fun at their expense," he says.
William Shatner, who starred as Capt. Kirk in the series, credits the writers for the show's lasting impact.
Gerrold agrees and begins to rattle off names, including Harlan Ellison (Babylon 5) and Theodore Sturgeon (Killdozer).
"We had some of the best science fiction writers in the world on that show," he says."I'm probably leaving out half a dozen."
There's a glaring omission: his own name. Gerrold is still awed and humbled by the significance of his accomplishment with "The Trouble With Tribbles."
"I consider that they bought the story a kind of honor, too," he says. "Here it is a half century later, and I remain astonished that the episode is an iconic part of an iconic television series."
Plan your life
David Gerrold will teach a writing class at the Marvelous Nerd Year's Eve With Guest Stan Lee on Dec. 29 through Jan. 1, 2017, at the Sheraton Dallas, 400 N. Olive St., Dallas.
Tickets range from $10-$295. The New Year's Eve party pass is $20, $75 for VIP. Fees will also be charged for some photo opps.
There will be a "VIP David Gerrold Experience," which includes special access during a meet and greet, a professional photo op with an 8x10 print, an autograph and early entry, for an additional, undetermined fee.
Learn more at the event website.
Learn more about writing from Gerrold, right here and right now. And this one's free: "Apply the seat of your pants to the seat of the chair," he says. "Otherwise, you're just talking."
This week in home entertainment
Also out: All the Way; A Bigger Splash; A Boy Named Charlie Brown; Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween; Charlie's Angels: The Complete Series; CSI: Cyber -- The Final Season; Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days; The Flash: The Complete Second Season; Limitless: The Complete Series; Necessary Roughness: The Complete Series; The Darkness; Hard Target 2; Honey 3; The Iron Giant Signature Edition Blu-ray; Money Monster; Mostly Ghostly: One Night in Doom House; Now You See Me 2; Rectify: Season 3; Snoopy, Come Home; South Park: The Complete Nineteenth Season; Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season; Tales from the Darkside: The Complete Series; and Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: Season 1, Volume 1.
