FISTS COULD FLY AGAIN ON `SPRINGER,' HOST SAYS.

Byline: - Daily News Wire Services

If viewers bail out of the newly sanitized ``Jerry Springer Show,'' the fights will be back, the show's host promised.

``Jerry Springer'' episodes with the brawling edited out started airing this week on stations around the country. The tamer shows were the result of complaints from critics, politicians and religious groups to producer Studios USA.

However, during an interview on MSNBC, Springer said the fisticuffs, which were the major reason for the backlash, could come back. ``If we see that viewers are unhappy that we're editing stuff out, then we won't edit it out anymore,'' he told MSNBC's Edie Magnus. ``This week, the fights are going to be edited out. Whether we continue this policy or not ... we'll see.''

Show spokeswoman Laurie Freid would not comment. Representatives for Studios USA were not available.

Since becoming the most-watched daytime talk show in February, ``Jerry Springer'' has become a lightning rod for controversy. The ongoing flap over the show forced Studios USA to issue a statement claiming it would remove violence from the show.

Springer said that, ultimately, company owner Barry Diller will decide what direction the program takes, and at that point, ``I'll make the decision on whether I want to do the show.''

Connery irate: Sean Connery's thistly eyebrows were bristling Sunday night. The actor-turned-Broadway-producer became so vexed at the party following the Tony Awards that he stormed out before dinner.

Connery, whose ``Art'' won a Tony for Best Play, left the Radio City awards with his temperature already elevated. Clock-watchers for the show hadn't allowed him to thank his wife, Micheline, for discovering the hit in Paris. Then, when the Connerys went to the party at the Marriott Marquis, they discovered that even Tony winners had to stand in a line that seemed to stretch to New Jersey.

``It took me an hour to get in here!'' the screen legend fumed.

Once inside, 007 couldn't find his table. That's when he blew. Joining up with ``Judas Kiss'' star Liam Neeson and his wife, Natasha Richardson, who had just won a Tony for ``Cabaret,'' the two couples freed themselves from the party.

Connery and company weren't the only stars put off by the party. Jane Seymour and James Keach also left early after being besieged by too many camera-toting fans of ``Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.''

``We felt badly that Mr. Connery left in such a huff,'' said Tony spokesman Keith Sherman. ``But we had 1,500 people for dinner. Everybody who attends the Tonys is a VIP.''

Make that six: A little more than a month after the departure of five ``Baywatch'' cast members, Gena Lee Nolin - who was expected to remain on the show for a fourth season - said that she is not returning. Nolin, 26, is exiting the popular syndicated series to pursue other opportunities. It was reported last month that Carmen Electra, Donna D'Errico, Traci Bingham, Marliece Andrada and Angelica Bridges were not coming back to ``Baywatch.''

`McBeal' wear: The eye-catching short skirts that star Calista Flockhart wears on ``Ally McBeal'' could lead to merchandising dollars. Fox Consumer Products is looking to test the waters with an unusual licensing program for the show that might include clothing and other products. It's unusual because the merchandising efforts would be understated and the items perhaps sold only in one or two major upscale stores.