---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: David Gerrold never wrote an episode that…"
description: "\"“David Gerrold never wrote an episode that Gene thought was shootable … then how do we account for something titled “The Trouble with Tribbles”?)”\" — H..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/harlan-ellison-2133_trouble-tribbles_david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-tha_2562677.jpg"
---

#  David Gerrold never wrote an episode that Gene thought was…

![“David Gerrold never wrote an episode that Gene thought was shootable … then how do we account for something titled “The Trouble with Tribbles”?)” quote by Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/harlan-ellison-2133_trouble-tribbles_david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-tha_2562677.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/harlan-ellison-2133_trouble-tribbles_david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-tha_2562677.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/harlan-ellison-2133_trouble-tribbles_david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-tha_2562677.jpg)

> ““David Gerrold never wrote an episode that Gene thought was shootable … then how do we account for something titled “The Trouble with Tribbles”?)””

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote humorously points out that even a writer known for realism can produce a whimsical, seemingly unshootable story, highlighting the unpredictable nature of creative work.

**In simple terms:** Even serious writers can create silly stories.

Key Takeaway

Embrace unexpected ideas.

Themes

creativity humor television

Mood

playful ironic

Type

anecdotal commentary

When to use this quote

- scriptwriting
- show production
- fan discussions

Key Concepts

science fiction writing authorial intent

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance originality with practicality?
- When should a writer push genre boundaries?

A Different Perspective

Sometimes novelty can clash with established standards.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [I actually wrote an episode of 'Head Of The Class.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-schneider/i-actually-wrote-an-episode-of-head-of-the-class/)

[Dan Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-schneider/)

> [I wrote an episode for 'thirtysomething,' and a producer said, 'That's really good, but what is it about? What does it say about you?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-haggis/i-wrote-an-episode-for-thirtysomething-and-a-producer-said-that-s/)

[Paul Haggis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-haggis/)

> [Brad Wright, who created Grant MacLaren, had me in mind. We'd actually worked together 20 years ago. He wrote an episode of The Outer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-mccormack/brad-wright-who-created-grant-maclaren-had-me-in-mind-we-d-actually/)

[Eric McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-mccormack/)

> [In terms of my Indianness, I try not to rely on it nor deny it. When it comes up organically in my writing, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/in-terms-of-my-indianness-i-try-not-to-rely-on-it-nor-deny-it-when-it/)

[Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/)

## More by Harlan Ellison

> [Posing the question: does the god of love use underarm deodorant, vaginal spray and fluoride toothpaste?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/posing-the-question-does-the-god-of-love-use-underarm-deodorant/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [They change scapegoats at the networks more regularly than some people change socks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-change-scapegoats-at-the-networks-more-regularly-than-some/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [They minute people fall in love they become liars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-minute-people-fall-in-love-they-become-liars/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [Repent, Harlequin," said the Ticktock Man. "Get stuffed," the Harlequin replied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/repent-harlequin-said-the-ticktock-man-get-stuffed-the-harlequin/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [“Living under the land, under the sea, in the belly of AM, whom we created...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/living-under-the-land-under-the-sea-in-the-belly-of-am-whom-we-created/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [I have no mouth. And I must scream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-have-no-mouth-and-i-must-scream/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [There in the midst of the Amazon Jungle, Simon Haskell has cobbled up for himself a replica of an Art Deco salon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/there-in-the-midst-of-the-amazon-jungle-simon-haskell-has-cobbled-up/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [For the first time we have a weapon that nobody has used for thirty years. This gives me great hope for the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/for-the-first-time-we-have-a-weapon-that-nobody-has-used-for-thirty/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [“There are forces in the world today, Mr. Winsocki, that are invisibly working to make us all carbon copies of one another. Forces that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/there-are-forces-in-the-world-today-mr-winsocki-that-are-invisibly/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [“Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/men-rarely-if-ever-manage-to-dream-up-a-god-superior-to-themselves/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [I write a kind of surreal fantasy, but they can't put 'surreal fantasy' on a paperback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-write-a-kind-of-surreal-fantasy-but-they-can-t-put-surreal-fantasy/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [Don't start an argument with somebody who has a microphone when you don't. They'll make you look like chopped liver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/don-t-start-an-argument-with-somebody-who-has-a-microphone-when-you/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [“I intend to keep writing stories that piss people off, that tell the particular kind of truth I think is valid, that will make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-intend-to-keep-writing-stories-that-piss-people-off-that-tell-the/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [“Who Needs the Taj Mahal when it's a drag to live at all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/who-needs-the-taj-mahal-when-it-s-a-drag-to-live-at-all/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

> [Like a wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/like-a-wind-crying-endlessly-through-the-universe-time-carries-away/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

[Explore all 165 Harlan Ellison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“David Gerrold never wrote an episode that Gene thought was shootable … then how do we account for something titled “The Trouble with Tribbles”?)”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Harlan Ellison"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-that-gene-thought-was-shootable/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Trouble Tribbles"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-that-gene-thought-was-shootable/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/harlan-ellison-2133_trouble-tribbles_david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-tha_2562677.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/harlan-ellison-2133_trouble-tribbles_david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-tha_2562677.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/harlan-ellison-2133_trouble-tribbles_david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-tha_2562677.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“David Gerrold never wrote an episode that Gene thought was shootable … then how do we account for something…” — Harlan Ellison",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Harlan Ellison",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“David Gerrold never wrote an episode...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-that-gene-thought-was-shootable/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/david-gerrold-never-wrote-an-episode-that-gene-thought-was-shootable/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
