It's a Living 1980
“Get 'em with laughs!”
What is It's a Living?
"It's a Living" is an American sitcom set in a restaurant. The show premiered on ABC in 1980 and initially aired until 1982.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1980
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 120
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Oct 30, 1980
- Last aired
- Apr 8, 1989
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- ABC, Syndication
- Genres
- Comedy
- Updated
Where to watch
Stream
Amazon Prime Video
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 120 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
"It's a Living" is an American sitcom set in a restaurant. The show premiered on ABC in 1980 and initially aired until 1982. It was created by Stu Silver, Dick Clair, and Jenna McMahon. The series was produced by Witt/Thomas Productions, later in association with Golden West Television and Lorimar-Telepictures. After its initial run, new episodes of the series aired in first-run syndication from 1985 to 1989. The show is set in a restaurant at the top of the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.
Should you watch it?
“A lighthearted sitcom about waitstaff atop Los Angeles' Bonaventure Hotel.”
- Comedy set in a high‑rise restaurant
- Shows 1980s Los Angeles hotel backdrop
- Created by veteran sitcom writers
- Series had a split broadcast run
- Humor may feel dated to modern viewers
Watch it if you enjoy a breezy 1980s workplace comedy set in a hotel restaurant.
The series offers family‑friendly humor suitable for general audiences.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 13 episodes
- E1 Pilot Oct 30, 1980
- E2 The Intruder Nov 6, 1980
- E3 Roomies Nov 13, 1980
- E4 Fallen Idol Nov 27, 1980
- E5 The Lois Affair Dec 11, 1980
- E6 Super-Mom Dec 18, 1980
- E7 Cassie's Punctured Romance Jan 1, 1981
- E8 Up On the Roof Jan 8, 1981
- E9 Making the Grade Jan 15, 1981
- E10 Our Man Barry Jan 22, 1981
- E11 R-E-S-P-E-C-T Jan 29, 1981
- E12 Kids Jul 21, 1981
- E13 You're Not Old, You're Fired Aug 4, 1981
Season 2 · 14 episodes
- E1 Boys of Summer Oct 24, 1981
- E2 All My Son Oct 31, 1981
- E3 Of Mace and Men Nov 7, 1981
- E4 The Wedding Nov 14, 1981
- E5 Second Time Around, Almost Nov 28, 1981
- E6 Off the Top Dec 5, 1981
- E7 Mann is Mann Dec 12, 1981
- E8 Jealousy or Mildred Fierce Jan 2, 1982
- E9 Young Love Jan 9, 1982
- E10 The Garden of Countess Natasha Feb 12, 1982
- E11 Falling in Love Again Feb 19, 1982
- E12 Horsing Around Feb 26, 1982
- E13 Strange Bedfellows Jun 4, 1982
- E14 A Farewell to Arm Jun 11, 1982
Season 3 · 22 episodes
- E1 Harassed Sep 28, 1985
- E2 Cassie's Cowboy Oct 5, 1985
- E3 Amy Big Girl Now Oct 12, 1985
- E4 Desperate Hours Oct 19, 1985
- E5 I Write the Songs Oct 26, 1985
- E6 Jan's Engagment Nov 2, 1985
- E7 From Russia with Love Nov 9, 1985
- E8 The Prom Show Nov 16, 1985
- E9 The Wedding Show Nov 23, 1985
- E10 Hail to the Chef Dec 21, 1985
- E11 Eleven Angry Men and Dot Dec 28, 1985
- E12 Gender Gap Jan 11, 1986
- E13 Jealous Wife Jan 18, 1986
- E14 The Doctor Danny Show Feb 1, 1986
- E15 Jewel Heist Feb 15, 1986
- E16 The Jerks Feb 22, 1986
- E17 Oddest Couple Mar 1, 1986
- E18 Dot's Puppy Apr 12, 1986
- E19 Dinner with Deedee May 3, 1986
- E20 Jump May 10, 1986
- E21 America's Sweetheart May 17, 1986
- E22 Mann Act May 24, 1986
Season 4 · 25 episodes
- E1 The Roof Show Sep 27, 1986
- E2 The Bar Oct 4, 1986
- E3 The Reunion Show Oct 11, 1986
- E4 Surprise Oct 18, 1986
- E5 Nancy's Sister Oct 25, 1986
- E6 Night at the Iguana Nov 1, 1986
- E7 Family Feud Nov 8, 1986
- E8 The Dot and Howard Show Nov 15, 1986
- E9 Farewell, My Sonny Nov 22, 1986
- E10 Critic's Choice Dec 6, 1986
- E11 Richie's Sculpture Dec 20, 1986
- E12 Sonny's Oil (a.k.a.) The Oil Show Jan 3, 1987
- E13 Nancy's Birthday Party Jan 10, 1987
- E14 The Evictables Jan 17, 1987
- E15 Ginger's Baby Jan 24, 1987
- E16 Bachelor Party Jan 31, 1987
- E17 Amy's Rusty Feb 7, 1987
- E18 Dot's Priest Feb 14, 1987
- E19 The Dickie Doodle Show Feb 21, 1987
- E20 The Howie Show Feb 28, 1987
- E21 The Dot Quits Show Mar 7, 1987
- E22 The Two Guys Show May 2, 1987
- E23 A Romantic Comedy May 9, 1987
- E24 Manhandling May 16, 1987
- E25 Nancy's Shrink May 23, 1987
Season 5 · 26 episodes
- E1 Till Death Do Us Part Sep 26, 1987
- E2 Her Back to the Future Oct 3, 1987
- E3 No, My Darling Daughter Oct 10, 1987
- E4 Sweet Charity Oct 17, 1987
- E5 Killing of Sister Dot Oct 24, 1987
- E6 The Date Show Oct 31, 1987
- E7 Search and Strike Nov 7, 1987
- E8 The Vegas Show (1) Nov 14, 1987
- E9 The Vegas Show (2) Nov 21, 1987
- E10 The Sonny's Mother Show Nov 28, 1987
- E11 Strictly Personal Dec 12, 1987
- E12 A Pen Pal for Your Thoughts Dec 19, 1987
- E13 Twelve Angry Women Dec 26, 1987
- E14 Skin Deep Jan 2, 1988
- E15 Everyone's a Critic Jan 16, 1988
- E16 Take Back Your Mink Jan 23, 1988
- E17 The One About the Tattooed Lady Jan 30, 1988
- E18 Daddy's Little Girl Feb 6, 1988
- E19 Ginger's Grandmother Show Feb 13, 1988
- E20 Dot's Hope Feb 20, 1988
- E21 The Amy and Louie Show Feb 27, 1988
- E22 Ginger and the Senator Apr 23, 1988
- E23 Healings, Nothing More Than Healings Apr 30, 1988
- E24 The No Guys Show May 7, 1988
- E25 The Waiting Game May 14, 1988
- E26 Tune In, Tune Out May 28, 1988
Frequently asked questions
When did the series originally air?
It premiered on ABC on October 30, 1980 and ran until June 11, 1982.
Was there a later run of new episodes?
Yes, new episodes aired in first‑run syndication from September 28, 1985 to April 8, 1989.
Where is the show set?
The sitcom takes place in a restaurant on the top floor of the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.
Who created It's a Living?
The series was created by Stu Silver, Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon.
Which production companies were involved?
It was produced by Witt/Thomas Productions and later in association with Golden West Television and Lorimar‑Telepictures.