The Wrath of Anne

THE FIRST CONTACT Shatner went where no contestant had gone before... into Robinson's arms

Thanks to an NBC sweeps stunt, there's finally another catchphrase as frightening to ''Star Trek'' crew members as ''you will be assimilated.'' Never mind the horror of merging into the Borg collective -- try hearing a stern British game show host intone: ''You are the weakest link. Goodbye.''

''The Borg are tough, but Anne Robinson can be very, very, very, difficult,'' says Levar Burton (''Next Generation'' Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge), one of the eight ''Star Trek'' actors who will face off against Robinson in a celebrity edition of ''The Weakest Link'' (Monday, Nov. 26; NBC; 8 p.m.). ''She's a worthy opponent -- probably as worthy as the Borg.''

As usual, ''Star Trek'''s alpha male, William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk, of course), shows no fear in the face of evil. In fact, he boldly goes where no contestant has gone before -- into Robinson's arms for a nice warm hug. ''Was that as good for you as it was for me?'' he asks her, receiving a scowl in reply.