“The Problem with Popplers,” of course, doesn’t share any story similarities to “The Trouble with Tribbles.” The Tribbles are not food and Captain Kirk (William Shatner) does not eat one. They are, instead, vermin. A valuable store of synthetic grain is being kept at the space station Deep Space K7 on its way to provide food for a distant colony. Kirk is assured the grain is important, even if he doesn’t think guarding food is a very exciting assignment for the U.S.S. Enterprise. Also on board Deep Space K7, however, is a merchant named Cyrano Jones (Stanley Adams) who has a Tribble in his possession. Tribbles are featureless balls of fur that coo and snuggle and lull humans into a weird state of complacency. They also reproduce by eating, meaning a hungry Tribble soon turns into two Tribbles. It’s not long before the Enterprise and Deep Space K7 are both overrun with the creatures.
“Popplers” co-writer Patric Verrone recalls that voice actor Billy West got a call from “Tribbles” scribe — and “Futurama” fan — David Gerrold, “The title is an homage to ‘The Trouble With Tribbles,” Verrone confirmed. “And Billy, you told me you had heard from the writer. Who was it, David Gerrold? […] And you said he had seen this episode in particular and made a comment.”
West said that yes, it was. And that Gerrold “couldn’t figure out why we named them Popplers.” West didn’t have much of an explanation for Gerrold other than the obvious. “Because they’re popular,” West explained, “and you pop ’em in the mouth.” Indeed, the word “Popplers” isn’t too far from real-life snack products like Poppables or Snacklins.
Tribbles didn’t become food until an episode of “Short Treks” in 2019.
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