The Star Trek Original Series Set Tour Hosts the Tribbles Godfather

David Gerrold, the brilliant mind behind the Tribbles, appears in Ticonderoga on April 26.

Who wouldn’t love a Tribble?

David Gerrold, the creator of Tribbles and the writer behind the iconic Star Trek "The Trouble with Tribbles" episode, will make an encore appearance at the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour in Ticonderoga on April 26, 2025.  

Mr. Gerrold will participate in tours, sign autographs, and greet fans. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore The Enterprise set with someone who was there at the very beginning—and to take a Tribble home.

An original Tribble prop. Does it resemble the hair-do of a certain political figure?

David will participate in tours at 11 am and 2 pm. Ticket holders for the 2 pm David Gerrold tour are invited to attend a free screening hosted by David on the bridge.

To take part in the screening, you must purchase a ticket for the 2 pm tour. The screening will immediately follow the tour, and the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour emphasizes that only the 2 pm David Gerrold tour will be followed by a screening. Please plan for a total duration of 2 hours.

Visit the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour website to purchase your tickets.

Tribbles: the scourge of the Milky Way galaxy?

I would never presume to rank as a Trekkie, but I’ve seen enough episodes of Star Trek to feel confident that "The Trouble with Tribbles" is one of the series' best. But don’t take my word for it; Entertainment Weekly ranked it #6 of the 10 essential Star Trek original series episodes.

The first “Tribbles” appear in the fifteenth episode of the second season of the original Star Trek series. David Gerrold wrote the episode, which Joseph Pevney directed. It was first broadcast on December 29, 1967 (fatefully, my birthday).

In this whimsically entertaining episode, the starship Enterprise docks at Deep Space Station K7, only to find itself hilariously inundated by an avalanche of adorably fluffy creatures known as "Tribbles."

These pint-sized furballs reproduce faster than a replicator on overdrive, turning the station into a scene straight out of a chaotic petting zoo.

As the crew grapples with this furry infestation, the situation spirals into a comedic fur-fight that leaves even the most stoic Vulcans scratching their heads. Hilarity ensues.

As a child, I was captivated by Star Trek's thrilling adventures, drawn in by its bold themes of exploration and discovery.

The iconic mission of the Starship Enterprise, famously articulated as "to boldly go where no man has gone before," resonated with my sense of wonder.

Even at a young age, I found myself enchanted by the show’s portrayal of diverse alien civilizations and the crew's commitment to diplomacy and optimism. Each episode ignited my imagination, inspiring dreams of distant worlds and the possibilities of connection among differing cultures in the vastness of space.

Tribbles collectible toys.

I must admit, something about the Tribbles made Star Trek feel more accessible to me. I adored the furry, slow-moving, cute, and cooing creatures, and I immediately wanted one of my own. This likely sparked a pre-teen obsession with guinea pigs.

As the story unfolds, the Tribbles are revealed to be a nuisance. Without giving away too much of the plot, they are eventually handled by Chief Engineer Scott, also known as Scotty. He delivers one of television’s greatest puns at the end of the episode, declaring, "There'll be no tribble at all."

By the way, during a recent visit to the Star Trek Tour, my friends surprised me with my very own animatronic Tribble, making a childhood dream come true.

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