User Reviews

This was one of my favorite television shows as a teen.

It was different - in as much as it centered in on the lives of waitresses at the an upscale restaurant which I knew was the Bonneventure Hotel in Los Angeles. The ABC Network used this as a vehicle for actress Ann Jillian and casted around her red head actress Barrie Youngfellow, Gail Edwards Susan Sullivan and Wendy Schaal. Then after a season, Louise Lassiter came in and left. The program was allegedly plagued by low ratings, and went into the new medium of "first run syndication". First run syndication was the new idea that was to let folks know there was an audience for material but not as large as needed for Network TV. Network TV never thought it would last. This was one of the pioneer programs that set into motion that it could.

"It's A Living" on the ABC Network (I do remember Danny Devito from the show Taxi, as his scum bag character Louie DePama, promoting the series with platinum blonde Ann Jillian) turned into "Making a Living" for a season and then turned back into "It's A Living" for syndication to my memory.

Whether in syndication or on Network, the women came from all walks of life and wanted to become all sorts of things: actresses, artists, singers, dancers, teachers and to make money - they were waitresses.In it's syndication, the women were more career oriented and you understood that their waitressing was "just a living". The series followed them, their lives, their jobs at the "Above the Top" upscale restaurant. The waitress uniforms were designed interestingly - and they had several.

Under syndication, "It's a Living" came up with a new and younger cast with Barrie Youngfellow, Gail Edwards, Wendy Schall staying and adding what is now very familiar faces: lovely Crystal Bernard, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. In syndication, the scripts were more light hearted, funnier, a bit younger, and there was more interaction - a camaraderie lets say - between the waitresses and their lives. The Hostess, actress Marian Mercer, was a great constant between both series - she took the job very seriously and in the syndicated version was more of a "strict den mom" than in the ABC Network version more of the Hostess being a "snotty upper class twit" and letting long term waitress Barrie Youngfellow take over sometimes in the Hostess duties was nice to watch as well.

The additional comedy came from the piano player character, Sonny, who was a wonderful comic foil and gave the series its air of a "upscale restaurant" complete with live lounge-lizard singer.

I got a better understanding of being a waitress and what they go through by watching this series: waitressing didn't bring in the worst people in the world or wasn't the worst job in the world -- it's only a living.

I have worked in a restaurant for many years. So I enjoy shows that are filmed in them. So I start with watching Alice A diner comedy and then I finish off with Its a living a much more upscale dining. Both shows dealing with issues of the crew members.

Since this is such an excellent database, I was surprised at the glaring omission of this show's initial history. "It's a Living" first ran on the ABC network for two seasons before it popped up in syndication three years later. The show always centered around the lives of the waitresses who worked at Above the Top, a posh restaurant in Los Angeles. The five original waitresses were Ann Jillian (Cassie Cranston), Barrie Youngfellow (Jan Hoffmeyer), Gail Edwards (Dot Higgins), Susan Sullivan (Lois Adams), and Wendy Schaal (Vicki Allen). At the end of the 1980-1981 season, Susan Sullivan and Wendy Schaal were gone. Louise Lasser ("Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman") was cast the next year as a new waitress named Maggie McBurney and she lasted for just that season. At this time the show was renamed "Making a Living."

When the show started its run in syndication, it was known as "It's a Living" again and much of the original cast was back. Ann Jillian left after the 1985-1986 season.

Marian Mercer, who played authoritarian supervisor Nancy Beebe, and Paul Kreppel, who played egotistical lounge pianist Sonny Mann, were with the show from the beginning and remained throughout its entire run.

Though it was never as immensely popular in its original run as it could have been, the show was light and humorous with a talented, comedic ensemble cast. I agree with the previous comment regarding Marian Mercer. She is truly an underrated comedienne and anytime she is in a scene it is 100 times funnier. Marian Mercer could read the telephone book and it would be hilarious! (Catch her in the comedy movie "9 to 5" with Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin. She has a secondary role as ditzy Missy Hart; she plays the wife of Dabney Coleman's character, Franklin Hart, the boss who makes life hell for his office staff.) Paul Kreppel was also very funny. I especially liked the sparring between the characters of Nancy and Dot, who disliked each other. Actually, all the waitresses hated Nancy, who was their supervisor, and they were always exchanging verbal barbs with her.

FYI... For you true "TV Trivia" fans, here is an update on the two waitresses who left after the first season. Susan Sullivan went on to star in the CBS prime time serial "Falcon Crest" as Maggie Gioberti for almost its entire run. More recently, she appeared on "Dharma & Greg" as Greg's mother. And let's not forget those Tylenol commercials she did! Wendy Schaal starred for one season (1981-1982) as Mr. Roarke's god-daughter, Julie, on Fantasy Island. She shared hosting duties with Tattoo, played by Herve Villechaize (who was in several Dunkin' Donuts commercials featuring mini donuts--a career highlight, I'm sure!--before he committed suicide). Julie and Tattoo were both replaced in the next and final season by Lawrence, played by Christopher Hewett, who later starred as "Mr. Belvedere" and on and on it goes...

I just found this show on Antenna TV. I remember when it came on in the early 80's because I just had a baby an was at home watching a lot of TV. I believe this is the show that catapulted Ann Jillian's career; for those of you who remember her being a sex symbol. I remember it was changed to Making a Living then back to It's a Living. Susan Sullivan was on Season 1 then left because she started working on Falcon Crest. Never got into the Louise Lasser character. It's a bit cheesy but it was the 80's right?

Score: 6/10

REVIEW OF SEASONS 1-3 ONLY

There's nothing wrong with this show. It's well-written, funny, well-performed, with fully realized characters. There's nothing about it that makes it special, but there's nothing about it that is sub-par. Watching this made me remember how stale the sitcom formula had become and why shows like Seinfeld were so revolutionary (and took so long to catch fire). Nevertheless, It's a Living is a well-executed, if typical, sitcom.

Gail Edwards, Barrie Youngfellow, Marian Mercer, Paul Kreppel, and Ann Jillian are mainstays of the cast through the 3 full seasons. Ann Jillian, in particular, is fantastic as Cassie Cranston. Marian Mercer is also impeccable as the hostess/manager, Nancy Beebe. And Paul Kreppel, as Sonny Mann, is an incredible talent. Although It's a Living is a perfectly average sitcom, there is an impressive amount of talent on display.

It is unfortunate that Louise Lasser, who joined the cast in Season 2, did not remain--she was a real boost to the cast. Her comedic sensibility was perfect for the Maggie McBurney character. Though I was VERY disappointed that both Susan Sullivan AND Wendy Schaal did not return from Season 1, Louise Lasser was terrific.

In summary, It's a Living is not an outstanding, genre-defining sitcom. It's an average sitcom from the 80s. Your life will be no poorer for having never seen it; however, there's a lot here to like and if you give it a chance it will grow on you.

It's a Living, Seasons 1-3, is currently airing on Tubi. Unfortunately, they only have a handful of episodes from Season 4 and nothing from later seasons.

Score: 6/10

0-3 Don't waste your time 4-6 Good 7-9 Great 10 Outstanding.

This show was about a group of waitresses working in a restaurant in Los Angeles. It introduced me to Ann Jillian and several other actresses still working in the industry. I loved the theme song and still can remember it now. Like many of the shows I grew up with I can't find it on DVD anywhere. "Alice"(the TV show) is getting a DVD. Where are some of the others that I remember so well? "One Day at a Time" also comes to mind. I know that it was also called "Making a Living" for a season and can find all kinds of information on it. Why do they release all the crap that passes for entertainment, and don't release some of the shows that we grew up in the '80's with!

This sitcom was one of the most underrated shows of the 1980's and here's why. Like the previous comments,I was very surprised at the glaring omission to the show's initial history. The show lasted six seasons which seasons 1 thru 2 ran from 1980 until 1982,and seasons 3 thru 6 ran from 1985 until 1989 producing 120 episodes(39 out those episodes were on ABC,while the 81 of those episodes went into syndication).

First of all,the series "It's A Living" ran on the ABC-TV network for two seasons from the premiere pilot episode on October 30,1980 until June 11,1982. During it's run on ABC,only 39 episodes were produced of the series before the network canceled the show in 1982. This sexy comedy about five pretty waitresses working at a posh Los Angeles restaurant located in the Bonaventure Hotel was the brainchild of creators Stu Silver,along with Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon(of "Mama's Family",and were the head writers for "The Carol Burnett Show") under the production of Paul Junger Witt,Susan Harris and Tony Thomas(of "Soap","Benson",and later on "Empty Nest" fame)under their production company Witt-Thomas-Harris Productions(they were also the executive producers of the series). The show centered around the lives and situations of the waitresses and other employees that worked at the posh restaurant that located inside the upper level of the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. Nancy Beebe(Marian Mercer)was their supervisor,trying to go through the motions and situations involving not only customers,but the daily work of employees Jan(Barrie Youngfellow),Dot(Gail Edwards),Vicki(Wendy Schaal),brassy Cassie(Ann Jillian),and Sonny(Paul Kreppel),the self-absorbed wise cracking pianist. Along with battling customers and chattering about their home life,the girls all giggled a lot,paraded around in "skimpy outfits",and made jokes about whatever went on or happened during or outside the workplace. Comedical hijinks and situations came about within the staff of the restaurant each week.

During its initial run on ABC,the network used this as a vehicle for a actress Ann Jillian and most of the situations that went on within the series were cast around her. But that didn't help things much in the long run. ABC-TV,however had a good premise and faith in this show. Despite a shaky first season,when the show was on Thursday nights opposite "Mangum,P.I." which clobbered it in the ratings. By the show's second season,the show was moved to Tuesday nights. In addition,two new cast members were added;Maggie(Louise Lasser),and Dennis(Earl Boen),but that didn't help neither. Out of the 39 episodes that aired on ABC,the final episode for the network aired on June 11,1982 with episode No. 27 "Farewell To Arm". Repeat of these episodes lasted until September 10,1982.

Out of all the cast members that were associated with this series,only four of them remained with the show from beginning to the end:actors Marian Mercer,Barrie Youngfellow,Gail Edwards,and Paul Kreppel. Three years after leaving ABC,with its original title and most of the cast of "It's A Living" returned to the air with new episodes produced for first run syndication. Added to the new cast were Amy(Crystal Bernard), Ginger(Sheryl Lee Ralph),Howard(Richard Stahl),and in several episodes for the new syndication version marked the return of television veteran Danny Thomas(playing Cassie's grandfather). Ann Jillian's character Cassie got married at the end of the 1985-1986 season. Out of the 81 episodes that were in syndication,the third season began with episode No. 28 "Harassed",that premiered on September 23, 1985. But the rest of the episodes during its run in syndication had their moments whether good or bad,depending on the outcome,but by the sixth and final season,it didn't help much in the ratings. The final episode of the series was presented in episode No. 120 was "The Special Episode",that featured previous moments and flashbacks from several episodes including the ones that aired during its initial run on ABC that aired in national syndication on January 31,1989.

FYI: For you true "TV Trivia" fans out there. Here's and update on the two waitresses who left after Season One. Actress Susan Sullivan,who played Lois,went on the star in the CBS prime-time serial "Falcon Crest" as Maggie Gioberti for its entire nine-year-run. She was also Greg's mom on "Dharma and Greg" and was the mom on Drew Carey's sitcom series. She is now playing Martha Rogers on the ABC crime-drama series "Castle". Let's not forget those Tylenol commercials she did! As for actress Wendy Schaal,she starred for one season as Mr. Roarke's goddaughter,Julie on "Fantasy Island" and appeared on various TV shows during the mid-1980's and throughout the 1990's. Schaal is doing voice-over work these days as the voice of Francine Smith on the FOX animated series "American Dad". As for Crystal Bernard,she went on to star in the long-running NBC comedy series "Wings" and was also known during her stint with this series was a successful pop singer who scored a huge hit on Billboard's top 100 charts during the 1980's that featured her biggest song with a duet with pop king Peter Cetera. And as for Sheryl Lee Ralph,she was already a accomplished Broadway singer and Tony award winning actress before she came onto this series. During the series and in several episodes you got the chance to hear some of Miss Ralph's great singing voice too! She was also in the TV series "Moesha",playing the mother figure for songstress Brandy,that lasted more than seven seasons.

This show had great casting with actors like Paul Kreppel who play Sonny in both series, Marian Mercer, Barrie Youngfellow, the beautiful Ann Jillian, Gail Edwards, Wendy Schall, and Louise Lasser from the Woody Allen films. The show took place in the evening at a posh restaurant in an Los Angeles skyscraper. For a thirty minutes show that aired first in prime time television and later in syndication, it was a memorable and decent show to watch. But it didn't get enough viewers or whatever the reason and was canceled on network television but later resurfaced to syndication which did very well on Saturday afternoon television. I have to say that I always watched it on television during my youth and never understood the networks which canceled fare and attractive television programming in favor of something better or most cases it was worse than expected.

Imagine the 4 most boring people on earth. Add in a pervy piano player and the sex life of 2 elderly people. Who could enjoy this??? This is the show satirists watch to make fun of the 80s. Total garbage.

I loved this show as a kid so was surprised to see that it was a 1980-1982 (since I wouldn't have been watching then) show not mentioning several members. So, if you have this problem, go to the 1985 version. It is so great watching reruns and seeing "Dharma and Greg"'s mother/mother-in-law playing Lois and "Blossom"'s Mrs. Lemure (Six's mother). as well as Ann Jillian and Marian Mercer--all great! Cheesy as most 80s shows but fun!

Since it's unlikely this show will never be on DVD, I want to give you a heads up that Antenna TV is going to start airing it from the beginning in January 2020. I don't have a start date yet.

I have always liked Amy Bernard since I loved watching Wings so much. But since it first aired on prime time in the early 1980s, it's hard not to imagine changes with cast members. Marian Mercer who plays the restaurant hostess and piano player Paul Kreppel who plays Sonny remained from the beginning to the end. There was three years between the network cancellation and it's remergence in syndication so of course there were changes to the cast. In fact, it got better as the show progressed. Sheryl Lee Ralph joined the cast as well. I'm not saying it was one of the best shows but I remember their black and white outfits, their heartaches, and triumphs on the series in both network and syndication. I miss syndicated comedies. If you're like me and you liked the show on prime time and missed it too, you'll just be happy to get it back in any form.

This is a very good classic comedy. It's difficult to find good shows these days. This is why I buy TV shows on DVD. I am a fan of Ann Jillian, I also like Jennifer slept here. I think all good classic comedies should be released on DVD. I also enjoy many other comedies, I also like classic western TV shows and science fiction shows on DVD. I also enjoy many classic shows such as Land of the giants, Bonanza, and others. Getting back to It's a living, this show should be released on DVD. I believe the complete series should be released. I think there are six seasons. Howerver I could be wrong. Thank you for reading my comments, I appreciate it very much.

If you liked this show you can watch it on DISH on 254 (LOGO).

It's proto women and compared to other 80s shenanigans shows its interesting. The first episode almost implies it's a prostitution ring but that's just how far restaurant working ladies had to go up till the mid 90s. This is a dumb show but it's fun so anything fun gets 10. I imagined if my parents watched this as it premiered, loving that every version of a white girl is represented, jk it's pretty much a mix of super model vs supermodel turned girl next door plus a red head and a Nancy spungen impersonator. If they had iPhone and Android it'd be very boring but they don't and it's weirdly satisfying to watch, possibly because it's a combo of every female oriented show from the 80s but they seem like they like each other. I'd like to say it is just a good 80s sitcom to enjoy.

This is a well written show that has held up very well over the years. The stories, while confined to the sitcom format, have not lost relevance today. I've been watching it on FreeVee and am up to season 2 and while I'm not happy about about the loss of two of the characters, it hasn't harmed the quality of the show. I really liked Susan Sullivan's character, she did a great job, but Louise Lassiter was a good replacement. I think the only character that is stuck in the 80s is the piano player, Sonny. However, compared to other smarmy, misogynist 80s characters, Sonny is much easier to take, and the actor is funny and has some good lines. Speaking of good lines, Ann Jillian has some real zingers.

The creators of It's a Living went on to do The Golden Girls, one of the best sitcoms ever made, so there are elements of It's a Living that are familiar to GG fans, like the music, storylines, and actors.

I didn't watch this too often during its original run, but I appreciate it a lot more now, and am so glad I found it. My only complaint is the theme song, which is so grating I have to mute it every time.

the name of this show is 'it's a living' not 'making a living' the name is even in the theme song... please fix this!! to the 1st reviewer, the actress is crystal Bernard and the characters name was Amy... i loved this show and even remember the lyrics and beat to the theme song.. Ann Jillian is awesome and who doesn't love crystal Bernard, Gail Edwards, et al.. the only bad character was sonny and i guess every show needs one.. lot's of mention of sonny and waitresses but what about head chef Howard played by Richard Stahl.. his character played so well off Nancy played by Marian mercer... i enjoyed this show when i was younger and would like to see it properly credited