HOT ON THE HILL

Barbara Babcock is coming back to “Hill Street Blues” with a distinct change of habit. In “Amazing Grace,” a two-part episode airing Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, her libidinous Grace Gardner has been born again as Sister Chastity, a nun who returns to the Hill to do “good work with local neighbors.”

“Hill Street” regulars will recall that three years ago, Grace climaxed her lengthy passion with Sgt. Phil Esterhaus (played by the late Michael Conrad) when he died during an intimacy.

The actress, who won an Emmy for her character, is delighted with Grace’s rebirth: “I found the idea so intriguing. The way Phil died made sense for Grace to give her passion to God after Phil. There’s a thin line between spirit and flesh.” Grace may once again cross that fine line.

Babcock hints that Grace will “get involved” with new regular Robert Clohessy.