Wow! I didn’t know that. Thanx Pike. My favorite line is, “It’s so simple. A child could do it!”
Just a note, I’ve been googling around on this topic. I thought the version I heard came from David Gerold, but this old article seems to belie that. (search for “brain” to find the relevant part.) Most of the other stuff opposing the story seems to stem from a confusion between parody and comedy.
Short version, it doesn’t seem to be clear if it was intended as a parody or not. It could have been the writer ret-conning his intention after “Spock’s Brain” became shorthand for “Bad Trek.”
Interesting article. I’ve heard Roddenberry and Fontana’s side regarding the third season of Trek. I’ve also heard Shatner’s version.
Gene Coon took over Roddenberry’s last-minute late-night script heroics in the third season. He penned ‘Spock’s Brain’, under a pseudonym. I always regarded the third season as satire of sci-fi cliche. The whole season has the feel of an abandoned ship.
I’ve never followed Gerrold but have heard he is very vocal regarding Trek. I don’t remember him being really involved.