TV game show The Newlywed Game, which debuted on ABC in 1966 under producer Chuck Barris, yesterday announced that this season it would feature its first-ever gay couple. George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on Star Trek, will appear with his partner, Brad Altman, for a celeb edition of the show, which is now on cabler GSN.

The couple, who have been together 22 years, recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of their Los Angeles wedding.

"What we want is to display the normality and the joy of having a happy union," Takei said. "To be included in something we never felt we'd be included in is very satisfying."

The show features innocent couples who are drilled about the whys and wherefores of all their activities, especially when it comes to "making whoopee."

Takei said he's doing his homework: He's busy studying Altman's clothes and food choices.

Rehab for Burt Reynolds

Veteran actor Burt Reynolds, 73, has checked into a rehab facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., to be treated for an addiction to painkillers.

Burt's manager, Erik Kritze, yesterday said the Boogie Nights star has had problems since recent back surgery and "realized that he was in the prison of prescription pain pills."

Burt was to start shooting his next flick, A Fonder Heart, with Louis Gossett Jr. and Daryl Hannah, next week.

A&F raises stink over Beyoncé

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. isn't happy about Beyoncé's deal to mix 'n' market "an alluring and sophisticated fragrance . . . that's reflective of my inner power" for Coty Inc. under her Sasha Fierce label.

In a federal lawsuit filed in Columbus, Ohio, A&F says that the name of B's label "poses a likelihood of confusion" with its Fierce brand.

It's a fierce Fierce fight.

A&F, which has used its Fierce label since '02, says it wants to stop trademark infringement, unfair competition, and deceptive trade practices. "A&F's intent is that all garments that leave the store have the FIERCE scent attached to them," the suit said.

B's people have yet to comment.

Swayze made peace with death

Patrick Swayze, who died Monday of pancreatic cancer at age 57, finally made peace with his impending death, The Beast star writes in his memoirs, The Time of My Life, set to be published Sept. 29.

In excerpts released yesterday to People mag and NBC News, Swayze writes that he initially saw his cancer diagnosis as a "cruel joke."

The Dirty Dancing star writes that after taking some time for self-reflection, "I began thinking to myself, I've had more lifetimes than any 10 people put together, and it's been an amazing ride. So this is OK."

Swayze, who cowrote the book with his wife of 34 years, Lisa Niemi, writes that he went through an emotional roller coaster while filming his last TV series, The Beast: "There are days when I feel determined to live until a cure is found, and truly believe I can do it. And there are days when I'm so tired, I just don't know how I can keep on going."

Funeral arrangements for the actor have yet to be announced.