List of It's a Living episodes

The American situation comedy It's a Living ran from November 13, 1980, to April 6, 1982, on ABC, and from September 28, 1985, to April 8, 1989, in syndication. A total of 120 episodes were recorded in six seasons.

Season 1 (1980–1981)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date
1	1	"Pilot"	John Tracy	Teleplay: Stu Silver; Story: Dick Clair, Jenna McMahon	November 13, 1980
For the first time in her life, long-time virgin Vicki prepares for her first date.
2	2	"The Intruder"	Joel Zwick	Wally Dalton, Shelley Zellman	November 20, 1980
Despite reports of a cat burglar roaming her neighborhood, Lois invites Jan to stay at her home while her husband and children are away. But those plans take an even bigger turn when Vicki, Cassie and Dot insists on turning it into a pajama party... of which is of course is crashed by the cat burglar!
3	3	"Roomies"	Joel Zwick	Sheldon Bull	November 20, 1980
When Vicki's plans to have the apartment to herself is delayed by the tenants' desire to stay in the place, the ladies turn to a reluctant Cassie to let Vicki move in with her.
4	4	"Fallen Idol"	Joel Zwick	Sheldon Bull	November 27, 1980
Vicki's father pays his daughter a visit and is disappointed at her job and work attire. But Vicki becomes more disappointed when her father ends up sleeping with Nancy.
5	5	"The Lois Affair"	Joel Zwick	Wally Dalton, Shelley Zellman	December 11, 1980
After Lois and her husband have a fight, Lois learns that a former flame has shown up in town hoping to rekindle their romance, prompting the ladies to intervene before it is too late.
6	6	"Super-Mom"	Jay Sandrich	Teleplay: Sheldon Bull; Story: Paula A. Roth	December 18, 1980
Jan takes another job in order to pay for her daughter's ballet lessons. But the conflict with working two jobs prompts Nancy to fire Jan.
7	7	"Cassie's Punctured Romance"	Joel Zwick	Sheldon Bull, Mark Rothman	January 1, 1981
In an effort to impress her boyfriend despite her personal feelings about falling in love, Cassie decides to cook him a dinner with help from the ladies.
8	8	"Up On The Roof"	Jay Sandrich	Greg Antonacci	January 8, 1981
Things are about to get hot for the waitresses when a fire breaks out at the hotel. Note: This episode was originally scheduled to air on November 27, 1980. ABC postponed it since the scheduled airing came six days after 85 people had died in the MGM Grand fire.
9	9	"Making The Grade"	Joel Zwick	Kimberly Hill	January 15, 1981
Jan's decision to date her college professor takes a turn for the worse when he threatens to fail her if she does not sleep with him.
10	10	"Our Man Barry"	Joel Zwick	Sheldon Bull	January 22, 1981
Jan and Vicki discover that they fallen for the same guy, while Nancy makes Lois and Cassie lose weight to conform within standards
11	11	"R-E-S-P-E-C-T"	Joel Zwick	Teleplay: Gloria Banta; Story: Stu Silver	January 29, 1981
Lois learns that her daughter has told her class in her essay that she works as a bank executive just a day before Lois is invited to speak at her class
12	12	"Kids"	Joel Zwick	Greg Antonacci	July 21, 1981
Jan and Lois debate over a pornographic magazine that was found in the bedroom of Lois' son.
13	13	"You're Not Old, You're Fired"	Joel Zwick	Greg Antonacci	August 4, 1981
Age discrimination takes center stage when Nancy is suddenly fired. Lois, being the most senior of the waitresses, replaces her and learns that being in charge is not what she had in mind.

Season 2 (1981–1982, as Making a Living)

#	Title	Original Airdate
14	"The Boys of Summer"	October 24, 1981
The ladies step up to bat when a baseball team visits the restaurant.
15	"All My Son"	October 31, 1981
Sonny learns that a woman that he slept with 10 years earlier has shown up to tell him that she has a son... and he might be the father.
16	"Of Mace and Men"	November 7, 1981
Reports of a mugger attacking women near the hotel takes center stage for the waitresses. But its Jan who becomes the reluctant hero after she confronts and attacks him seriously with her can of mace, prompting the criminal to sue her for his injuries.
17	"The Wedding"	November 14, 1981
A wedding event that is about to take place at the restaurant is called off because the groom has professed his love for someone he dated for five years way before he met his fiancee... Cassie!
18	"The Second Time Around... Almost"	November 21, 1981
Jan and her Ex learn that they still have feelings for each other, even though Jan thought it had already died a while back.
19	"Off The Top"	December 5, 1981
When the restaurant is sold and its owners wanting to turn it into a fitness center, the waitresses prepare to face unemployment, except for Sonny, who just got hired at another restaurant.
20	"Mann Is Mann"	December 12, 1981
Sonny's brother pays him a visit that gets too brotherly – and goes too far – when the brother's girlfriend makes a move on Sonny. Meanwhile, the waitresses search for a missing winning raffle ticket
21	"Jealousy or Mildred Fierce"	January 2, 1982
The waitresses, and even Nancy, try their best to comfort Dennis after his wife leaves him.
22	"Young Love"	January 9, 1982
Maggie decides to throw a party to thank everyone for welcoming her to town. But her party is actually a scheme to pair her 23-year-old brother with Dot. Unfortunately, her brother has fallen for an older woman... 33-year-old Jan!
23	"The Garden of Countess Natasha"	February 12, 1982
The waitresses act like Siskel & Ebert after they witness and give their review of Dot's new play.
24	"Falling In Love Again"	February 19, 1982
For the first time since her husband died, Maggie reconnects with the first man that she ever dated before she met her husband. Meanwhile, cops stakeout Above The Top to capture bandits.
25	"Horsing Around"	February 26, 1982
Jan and Maggie take up gambling on horses after Jan gets a hot tip from a jockey, prompting the staff to get in on the details. But all bets could be off when Maggie mistakes a menu number the jockey orders as the number of the winner in the next race.
26	"Strange Bedfellows"	June 4, 1982
Dot is besieged with bad luck, landing in the hospital with a deviated septum, and while at the hospital must deal with a relentless cheery roommate. Meanwhile, the rest of the waitresses must deal with a roomfull of World War II veterans.
27	"A Farewell To Arms"	June 11, 1982
Jan's biggest day in her life, a dream date, is sidetracked by helping Maggie with her garage sale.

Season 3 (1985–1986, as It's a Living, in first-run syndication)

#	Title	Airdate
28	"Harassed"	September 28, 1985
Newcomer Amy Tompkins must deal with a stalker who keeps sending her threatening messages. Meanwhile Howard refuses to accept a shipment of fish from a supplier he does not approve of, infuriating Nancy, who wants him to take the supplies.
29	"Cassie's Cowboy"	October 5, 1985
Cassie falls for a millionaire cowboy, who wants Cassie to be a cowgirl if she wants to be with him.
30	"Amy Big Girl Now"	October 12, 1985
Amy's father pays a surprise visit... and to bring her back to Texas with him.
31	"Desperate Hours"	October 19, 1985
Nancy is excited to receive the arrival of an ambassador of a Third World country. However, the plans goes awry when the restaurant is taken hostage by terrorists from his home country. Meanwhile, Jan helps her daughter Ellen deliver her pet cat's litter of kittens.
32	"I Write the Songs"	October 26, 1985
Sonny is offered a recording contract and abruptly quits the restaurant hoping that he'll make it big... or so he thinks.
33	"Jan's Engagement"	November 2, 1985
Jan falls for a fan repairman, but the romance accelerates to when he asks Jan to marry him. Meanwhile, Amy, taking advice from Dot, tries to lie to Nancy to get a day off so she can go to a rodeo.
34	"From Russia With Love"	November 9, 1985
A Russian decides to defect to the United States after he falls for Cassie and takes refuge in her locker.
35	"The Prom Show"	November 16, 1985
When the entertainment for a prom fails to show up at the restaurant, Dot takes charge with help from Sonny and Amy. Meanwhile, Jan is not so sure about marrying Richie after learning that he wants to have a child with her.
36	"The Wedding Show"	November 23, 1985
A wedding day for Jan and Richie is about to hit a snag when the judge is a no-show and the honeymoon brings along a third wheel.
37	"Hail to the Chef"	December 21, 1985
The President is expected to come to the restaurant. There's only one problem: Lead chef Howard isn't cleared by Secret Service after they check his background.
38	"Eleven Angry Men and Dot"	December 28, 1985
Dot serves jury duty and ends up being the only holdout. Meanwhile the waitresses hold out for Dot's return as they pick up her slack.
39	"Gender Gap"	January 11, 1986
Nancy is forced to hire an obnoxious waiter after the restaurant is hit with a Sex Discrimination lawsuit.
40	"Jealous Wife"	January 18, 1986
Cassie's dreamy one-night stand just became her nightmare when she is humiliated by the wife of the guy she slept with.
41	"The Doctor Danny Show"	February 15, 1986
After Nancy suffers a hernia during a date, her physician insists that she have an operation immediately. But when she begins to relive her phobia about being in a hospital, she refuses to seek treatment. Meanwhile, Amy convinces the waitresses to invest in a vacation property venture.
42	"Jewel Heist"	February 22, 1986
Terrorists target the restaurant when they learn that a visiting princess will be dining there and will be wearing a necklace that they want badly. Too bad that Dot accidentally takes a drugged napkin that was meant for the princess, leading to a mad scramble by a drugged Dot to stop the crooks from making their getaway.
43	"The Jerks"	February 22, 1986
While they are forced to stay at the restaurant to take inventory, the waitresses swap their tales of the worst guys that they had ever dated.
44	"Oddest Couple"	March 1, 1986
Cassie reluctantly moves in with Sonny while she attempts to find a place. But this pairing also has everyone at work guessing about this arrangement.
45	"Dot's Puppy"	April 12, 1986
Dot replaces her dead cat with a noisy puppy. Meanwhile, Sonny decides to quit his job so he can date a roller derby skater.
46	"Dinner with Deedee"	May 3, 1986
Jan is not looking forward to a visit from an old friend who has always outclassed her.
47	"Jump"	May 10, 1986
Cassie is stunned as to why a customer constantly refuses to leave her tips, only to learn that he works for the IRS and he has to audit her. Meanwhile, Dot's boyfriend decides to threaten suicide by jumping off the building if she doesn't continue to date him.
48	"America's Sweetheart"	May 17, 1986
Dot learns that her cartoonist boyfriend is using her as a model for a new character in his comic strip.
49	"Mann Act"	May 24, 1986
Sonny learns the girl he's dating is a mobster's moll.

Season 4 (1986–1987)

#	Title	Original Airdate
50	"The Roof Show"	September 27, 1986
The staff find themselves trapped on the roof, while Amy, Nancy and Howard must deal with an unruly crowd at the restaurant.
51	"The Bar"	October 4, 1986
The girls decide to cheer up a lonely Amy by taking her to a singles bar. But the ladies are discovering that the place is full of Mr. Wrongs.
52	"The Reunion Show"	October 11, 1986
Jan learns that an old boyfriend still carries a torch for her while she attends her high school reunion. Meanwhile, Nancy comes up with a plan to trick Howard into coming home with her.
53	"Surprise"	October 18, 1986
Amy believes that Richie is having an affair with Ginger, and is not so sure whether to tell Jan just days before her birthday party.
54	"Nancy's Sister"	October 25, 1986
Nancy is not happy when her sister Gloria shows up, especially when Nancy is convinced that she'll go after Howard.
55	"Night at the Iguana"	November 1, 1986
A Psycho-themed episode, which finds the ladies and Sonny checking into a hotel run by a mysterious man and his unseen mother after their car breaks down en route to Las Vegas.
56	"Family Feud"	November 8, 1986
Dot's divorced mother and Jan's divorced father become an unlikely item while visiting their daughters.
57	"The Dot and Howard Show"	November 15, 1986
Rumors start flying after Dot and Howard start going to social events together as friends.
58	"Farewell, My Sonny"	November 22, 1986
A murder mystery party just got a lot more murderous for Sonny after he becomes a prime suspect.
59	"Critic's Choice"	December 6, 1986
When Howard receives a visit from a rival, who happens to be a food critic who is doing a review of the restaurant, he find his job and his relationship with Nancy could be in jeopardy in more ways than one.
60	"Richie's Sculpture"	December 20, 1986
Richie allows a new sculpture that he borrowed from someone else be displayed at the restaurant, only to have Jan accidentally sell it to a tourist.
61	"Sonny's Oil (aka The Oil Show)"	January 3, 1987
Sonny convinces the ladies to join him on his oil investment venture.
62	"Nancy's Birthday Party"	January 10, 1987
Nancy drops hints about her birthday party that she believes the waitresses will be throwing for her. Meanwhile Jan and Richie have a marital fight and Sonny wants to join Dot's carpool.
63	"The Evictables"	January 17, 1987
After Ginger is evicted from her apartment because she is withholding rent money until the landlord repaints the place thanks to Jan's advice, Ginger moves in with Amy at her women's-only apartment complex. But after Ginger's boyfriend walks into the place unannounced, Amy and Ginger are both kicked out, and both now must find a place to stay (Good luck on that happening). Patty Duke makes a cameo as a customer who wasn't impressed with Sonny's critique of her 1963–66 sitcom after he plays the show's theme song.
64	"Ginger's Baby"	January 24, 1987
Ginger is left holding a baby after she agrees to babysit the child. Meanwhile, Sonny agrees to babysit a friend's car, only to take the wrong one... which belongs to a gangster.
65	"Bachelor Party"	January 31, 1987
Howard is not happy about Sonny dating his niece after she falls for him.
66	"Amy's Rusty"	February 7, 1987
Amy decides to reunite with an old flame after she feels guilty for not having been married. Meanwhile, Dot starts selling skin care products.
67	"Dot's Priest"	February 14, 1987
Dot learns that her former boyfriend is about to join the priesthood and questions his commitments.
68	"The Dickie Doodle Show"	February 21, 1987
A former children's show hosts' fan club dinner conflicts with Nancy's meeting with the restaurant chain's vice president.
69	"The Howie Show"	February 28, 1987
Howard is worshiped by South Pacific natives as a supreme being. Meanwhile, Nancy holds a contest for the waitresses.
70	"The Dot Quits Show"	March 7, 1987
Dot quits the restaurant to become a full-time unemployed actress; Sonny decides to write a musical based on Attila the Hun; Ginger's fetish for footwear has a hypnotic effect on Amy.
71	"The Two Guys Show"	May 2, 1987
Ginger must choose between two guys based on their merits, while Howard must choose between competing restaurant who want to hire him.
72	"A Romantic Comedy"	May 9, 1987
The staff are ruining what supposed to be a romantic evening alone for Jan and Richie.
73	"Manhandling"	May 16, 1987
Ginger feels like she's been taken for a ride after she buys Jan's car, while Amy asks Dot to play matchmaker between her and a new male employee.
74	"Nancy's Shrink"	May 23, 1987
A psychiatrist asks Nancy to review her relationships with her staff.

Season 5 (1987–1988)

#	Title	Original Airdate
75	"Till Death Do Us Part"	September 26, 1987
Sonny is hoping her fiancee will make it to their wedding. Meanwhile, Howard's high school flame visits.
76	"Her Back to the Future"	October 3, 1987
In this Back to the Future-themed episode (that pre-dates the sequel), Nancy dozes off during a wedding reception and dreams that everyone has done well for themselves ten years into the future... only to learn that its Amy who married Howard and she ended up marrying Sonny!
77	"No, My Darling Daughter"	October 10, 1987
The waitresses start to worry about letting Jan's daughter Ellen date a senior student, while Howard asks Nancy for $900 to pay back a loan shark.
78	"Sweet Charity"	October 17, 1987
When Dot's production of Little Red Riding Hood is hit with a case of chicken pox that quarantines the children in the cast, the staff step in to fill their roles.
79	"The Killing of Sister Dot"	October 24, 1987
Dot lands a part in a soap opera, until she learns that her character is expected to be killed off the show.
80	"The Date Show"	October 31, 1987
Nancy demands Howard to accompany her to a square dance as a way to break him out of a mid-life crisis.
81	"Search and Strike"	November 7, 1987
When Nancy is ordered by hotel management to search her staffs' lockers, Howard draws the line on her invading her waitresses' privacy.
82	"The Vegas Show (Part 1)"	November 14, 1987
Nancy is invited by singer Jack Jones to go with him to Las Vegas for a long weekend.
83	"The Vegas Show (Part 2)"	November 21, 1987
As the staff follow Nancy to Las Vegas, a jealous Howard finds Nancy at the gambling table with a lounge lizard, while a surprise event awaits the gang upon their arrival.
84	"The Sonny's Mother Show"	November 28, 1987
Sonny learns that his mother, who never forgiven him for not pursuing a career in classical music, is coming to visit him.
85	"Strictly Personal"	December 12, 1987
Dot's personal ad doesn't seem to attract any potential responses from readers.
86	"A Pen Pal for Your Thoughts"	December 19, 1987
Amy's prison pen pal is about to be released from prison. So guess what he plans to do – and plans to spend the rest of his life with – after his release?
87	"Twelve Angry Women"	December 26, 1987
Feminists set their sights on Sonny during their visit at the restaurant. Meanwhile, Dot dates one of Amy's exes.
88	"Skin Deep"	January 2, 1988
Nancy decides to get a face lift after she notices Howard flirting with a younger woman.
89	"Everyone's a Critic"	January 16, 1988
Dot gets jittery when her journalist boyfriend is assigned to review her new play.
90	"Take Back Your Mink"	January 23, 1988
Thanks to newfound wealth, Richie buys Jan a mink coat. But money doesn't buy happiness, as they're about to find out.
91	"The One About The Tattooed Lady"	January 30, 1988
Nancy's visiting cousin shows up with her whole body tattooed, shocking Nancy.
92	"Daddy's Little Girl"	February 6, 1988
Jan's hope to reconciling her divorced parents is dashed when her father tells her that he is newly engaged to another woman.
93	"Ginger's Grandmother Show"	February 13, 1988
Ginger's grandmother shows up to tell Ginger that son won't let her drive anymore. Meanwhile, Sonny makes a music video at the restaurant.
94	"Dot's Hope"	February 20, 1988
Dot gets her visiting friend, who came to Los Angeles to seek fame and fortune, a job as a dishwasher at the restaurant.
95	"The Amy and Louie Show"	February 27, 1988
Sonny becomes jealous when Amy asks his friend Louie out on a date. Meanwhile, Ginger feels more like french toast when she goes on a blind date with an egg salesman.
96	"Ginger and the Senator"	April 23, 1988
Ginger makes front page news when she is caught in a Gary Hart-Donna Rice-style situation after she is pictured sitting on the lap of a senator who is up for election.
97	"Healings, Nothing More Than Healings"	April 30, 1988
Sonny becomes a hero after he uses the Heimlich maneuver to save a choking victim. Meanwhile, Nancy and Howard decide whether to take separate vacations.
98	"The No Guys Show"	May 7, 1988
Ginger's boyfriend wants to tie the knot with her, but she doesn't want to settle down yet.
99	"The Waiting Game"	May 14, 1988
What was supposed to be an interview with a journalist about the pro and cons about their careers turns into a trip down memory lane for the waitresses in this flashback episode.
100	"Tune In, Tune Out"	May 28, 1988
Jan's attempt to spice up her marriage to Richie is about to turn sour. Meanwhile, a new TV set in the staff lounge draws the waitresses' attention when they become addicted to a mini-series.

Season 6 (1988–1989)

#	Title	Original air date
101	"Pistol Packin' Mama"	October 15, 1988
Ginger is considering kicking Amy out of the apartment after Ginger learns that Amy keeps a gun with her.
102	"The Nancy and Roscoe Show"	October 22, 1988
Nancy and Howard's marriage is about to be put to the test when Howard's Navy buddy Roscoe shows up and Nancy falls for him.
103	"The Jan's Pregnant Show"	October 29, 1988
The news of Jan's pregnancy is about to put Richie's plans to move to North Dakota on hold.
104	"Never Trust Anyone Under 40"	November 5, 1988
Louie throws a surprise 40th birthday party that even has Howard feeling 40 again.
105	"The New Guy Show"	November 12, 1988
Ginger telephones a wedding photographer for a date. Meanwhile, Sonny's agent lands him an hour-long TV time slot.
106	"Rear Window"	November 19, 1988
Dot's voyerism of watching her neighbors through her window is about to take a suspicious turn when she witnesses what she thinks is a murder of a woman.
107	"You Do Voodoo"	November 26, 1988
Jan wants to stop a developer from building a new mini-mall in her neighborhood. Meanwhile, Ginger uses a book of voodoo spells to attract a date.
108	"The Amy and Bobby Show"	December 3, 1988
Amy dates a guy who has pentecostal ambitions to change her lifestyle. Meanwhile, Howard is unaware that he just gave Nancy merchandise that was recently stolen.
109	"Dot Casts Off"	December 10, 1988
Dot lands a job as a casting assistant and is given the task to audition her friend for an acting job.
110	"A Very Scary It's a Living"	January 7, 1989
After Dot lands a major movie role in a slasher film, she decides to learn more about her role by watching horror flicks, only to fall asleep and end up in a dream, which really turns into a nightmare at the restaurant.
111	"The Ginger's Mother Show"	January 14, 1989
Ginger decides not to talk about her career as a waitress when her successful career-oriented mother pays her daughter a visit.
112	"Mike Fright"	January 21, 1989
Sonny learns that his temporary replacement is more successful than he is.
113	"I Never Sang For My Father"	January 28, 1989
Sonny is excited when his hairdresser decides to move in with him. But his plan to romance her is blocked by a surprise visit from his father. Meanwhile, Jan wants know who has been using the home phone to dial 1-900 numbers.
114	"Just Say Yes"	February 11, 1989
Amy isn't sure of what to do after she receives a Valentine's Day gift from her boyfriend Bobby Lee, which happens to be a key to his hotel room.
115	"Wedding, Wedding"	February 18, 1989
Amy and Ginger decide to hold a double wedding at the restaurant.
116	"It's Dark at the Top of the Top"	February 25, 1989
Nancy learns that favoring a new hotel manager's ideas can even cost you a job—so the manager replaces her with Dot.
117	"My Little Red Book"	March 4, 1989
Sonny discovers a little black book that leads to a smokin' hot catch for the pianist.
118	"Matchmaker, Matchmaker"	March 11, 1989
Sonny is set up with a new singing partner, while Dot decides to enlists a marriage broker.
119	"A Very Special It's a Living"	March 18, 1989
As Jan suddenly goes into premature labor, her life and her baby's hang in the balance. While she is in the hospital, Jan has a strange dream that she is being visited by the angel of death.
120	"The Sonny and Dot Show"	April 8, 1989
Dot and Sonny decide to cry on each other's shoulders as they both feel a sense of loneliness in their lives.

External links

• It's a Living at the Internet Movie Database
• It's a Living at TV.com
• It's a Living at epguides.com