It's a Living

1980 - 1989

Pilot

30th October 1980

Episode 1

The series opens with innocent Vicki contemplating going out on a date with a pilot. She's even more worried about what's going to happen after the dinner, since she still is a virgin.

The Intruder

6th November 1980

Episode 2

While her husband and children are away on a camping trip, Lois has Jan stay overnight due to the fact that a burglar has been terrorizing her neighborhood. It turns into a slumber party when Dot and Vicki insist on sleeping over as well but the fun quickly is dampened when the burglar makes an appearance.

Roomies

13th November 1980

Episode 3

Vicki's plans are ruined when tenants change their minds about moving out of an apartment which is to be hers. This prompts the other waitresses to talk Cassie into putting her up for a few days.

Fallen Idol

27th November 1980

Episode 4

Vicki's father comes to town for a visit and Vicki is worried about his reaction to the skimpy outfits she must wear for work. However this worry pales in comparison to her discovering her dad and Nancy having a one night stand.

The Lois Affair

11th December 1980

Episode 5

After having a big argument with her husband, Lois runs into her high school sweetheart who wants to pick up where they left off. When he gives Lois his hotel key, a concerned Dot and Vicki follow her and try to stop her from making what could be the biggest mistake of her life.

Super-Mom

18th December 1980

Episode 6

Jan wants to be able to afford to pay for ballet lessons for her daughter, so she picks up a second job, preparing invitations. However, her second job begins to interfere with her job at the restaurant which prompts Nancy to fire her.

Cassie's Punctured Romance

1st January 1981

Episode 7

Cassie is reluctant to stay with her latest boyfriend since falling in love is something that she is uncomfortable with. Meanwhile to impress him, she decides to cook a meal, with a little help from her fellow waitresses.

Up On the Roof

8th January 1981

Episode 8

The staff must stay calm when a fire breaks out in the hotel a few floor below the restaurant. They must also try to keep the customers as calm as possible which proves difficult at times since the customers include a bickering married couple, a money grubbing televangilist and a man who's having an affair on his wife.

Making the Grade

15th January 1981

Episode 9

Jan makes a mistake when she accepts her economics professor's offer to go out on a date. However, when she tries to break off their romance, he hands her an ultimatum: sleep with me or I'll give you an F in the course.

Our Man Barry

22nd January 1981

Episode 10

Dot and Vicki begin dating the same man which only aggravates the situation at the restaurant where Nancy imposes a crash diet on Cassie and Jan.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

29th January 1981

Episode 11

Lois learns that an invitation to speak to her daughter's class about working mothers was prompted by her daughter's essay describing her as vice president of a bank. Meanwhile, Dot tries to cheer up an impotent Sonny.

Kids

Episode 12

Jan and Lois have a ongoing debate over the discovery of a girlie magazine in the possesion of Lois's son.

You're Not Old, You're Fired

4th August 1981

Episode 13

Nancy is unexpectedly fired from her hostess position at the restaurant. Her firing is not the only surprise as is the reason she was fired which forces her to come face to face with age discrimination.

Top Cast

Barrie Youngfellow•Marian Mercer•Gail Edwards

It's a Living is an American sitcom set in a restaurant at the top of the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. The show aired on ABC from October 30, 1980 until June 11, 1982. After the series was cancelled, new episodes aired in first-run syndication from September 28, 1985 to April 8, 1989. The series was created by Stu Silver, Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon, and produced by Witt/Thomas Productions, later in association with Golden West Television and Lorimar-Telepictures.

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Full Cast

Barrie Youngfellow Image

Barrie Youngfellow

Jan Hoffmeyer Gray

Marian Mercer Image

Marian Mercer

Nancy Beebe Miller

Gail Edwards Image

Gail Edwards

Dot Higgins

Crystal Bernard Image

Crystal Bernard

Amy Tompkins

Sheryl Lee Ralph Image

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Ginger St. James

Paul Kreppel Image

Paul Kreppel

Sonny Mann

Richard Stahl Image

Richard Stahl

Howard Miller

Full Crew

Tony Thomas

Producer

Paul Junger Witt Image

Paul Junger Witt

Producer

George Aliceson Tipton Image

George Aliceson Tipton

Original Music Composer

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