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The Best Episodes of It's a Living

Every episode of It's a Living ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of It's a Living!

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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

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ABCSyndication
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Seasons6

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    It's a Living Season 1 Episode 2 - The Intruder
    8.1/10(52 votes)

    #1 - The Intruder

    S1:E2

    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.

    Director:Joel Zwick
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. It's a Living Season 1 Episode 13 - You're Not Old, You're Fired
    8.0/10(33 votes)

    #2 - You're Not Old, You're Fired

    S1:E13

    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.

    Director:Joel Zwick
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. It's a Living Season 1 Episode 11 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T
    7.8/10(36 votes)

    #3 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

    S1:E11

    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.

    Director:Joel Zwick
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. It's a Living Season 2 Episode 6 - Off the Top
    7.8/10(29 votes)

    #4 - Off the Top

    S2:E6

    The entire staff gets disheartening news when it is announced that the restaurant has been sold and will be turned into a fitness center. This leads everyone to face the reality and depression of unemployment lines, job applications and interviews. That is except Sonny, who has seemingly been hired at another restaurant.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. It's a Living Season 2 Episode 9 - Young Love
    7.7/10(29 votes)

    #5 - Young Love

    S2:E9

    A romance develops between 33 year old Jan and Maggie's 23 year old brother.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. It's a Living Season 1 Episode 3 - Roomies
    7.6/10(38 votes)

    #6 - Roomies

    S1:E3

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of It's a Living

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  7. It's a Living Season 3 Episode 11 - Eleven Angry Men and Dot
    7.6/10(33 votes)

    #7 - Eleven Angry Men and Dot

    S3:E11

    Dot serves jury duty and becomes the hold out juror. Meanwhile, Nancy and the other waitresses must deal with Dot's absence from work.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. It's a Living Season 3 Episode 13 - Jealous Wife
    7.6/10(28 votes)

    #8 - Jealous Wife

    S3:E13

    Cassie's one night stand is a dream for her but it turns into a nightmare when she is publicly humiliated by the man's wife in the restaurant.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tom Whedon

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  9. It's a Living Season 3 Episode 14 - The Doctor Danny Show
    7.6/10(31 votes)

    #9 - The Doctor Danny Show

    S3:E14

    During a date, Nancy suffers a hernia and when her physician discovers it, he insists that she have it operated on immediately. However, an old phobia about hospitals surfaces and she flat out refuses treatment. Meanwhile, Amy tries to get the girls to go in on a shady vacation property venture.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. It's a Living Season 3 Episode 17 - Oddest Couple
    7.6/10(26 votes)

    #10 - Oddest Couple

    S3:E17

    Cassie, desperate for a new place to live, temporarily moves in with Sonny, and the rumors fly.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. It's a Living Season 1 Episode 10 - Our Man Barry
    7.5/10(32 votes)

    #11 - Our Man Barry

    S1:E10

    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.

    Director:Joel Zwick
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. It's a Living Season 4 Episode 6 - Night at the Iguana
    7.5/10(30 votes)

    #12 - Night at the Iguana

    S4:E6

    After their car breaks down, while on a trip to Las Vegas, Sonny and the girls check into a hotel. A hotel that is run by a mysterious man and his unseen mother.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tom Whedon

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  13. It's a Living Season 5 Episode 14 - Skin Deep
    7.4/10(10 votes)

    #13 - Skin Deep

    S5:E14

    After seeing Howard flirting with a much younger woman, Nancy begins considering having a face lift.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Adam I. Lapidus

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  14. It's a Living Season 1 Episode 4 - Fallen Idol
    7.3/10(37 votes)

    #14 - Fallen Idol

    S1:E4

    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.

    Director:Joel Zwick
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. It's a Living Season 2 Episode 3 - Of Mace and Men
    7.3/10(35 votes)

    #15 - Of Mace and Men

    S2:E3

    After Maggie is mugged, the waitress go to lengths to protect themselves and begin carrying mace. However, after Dot is targeted in the parking garage, she defends herself, but the mugger responds by taking her to court.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. It's a Living Season 2 Episode 11 - Falling in Love Again
    7.3/10(30 votes)

    #16 - Falling in Love Again

    S2:E11

    Maggie is consumed with guilt after she begins a romance with a man, who happens to be the first man she's dated since her husband died. Meanwhile, cops stakeout the restaurant for bandits.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. It's a Living Season 2 Episode 13 - Strange Bedfellows
    7.3/10(30 votes)

    #17 - Strange Bedfellows

    S2:E13

    Dot's in the hospital with a relentless cheery roommate while the hotel is swamped with WWII veterans.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. It's a Living Season 3 Episode 4 - Desperate Hours
    7.3/10(33 votes)

    #18 - Desperate Hours

    S3:E4

    Terrorists from a Third World country take the restaurant hostage.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. It's a Living Season 3 Episode 8 - The Prom Show
    7.3/10(28 votes)

    #19 - The Prom Show

    S3:E8

    A prom is scheduled to take place at the restaurant but when the entertainment doesn't show up, Dot takes over as the entertainment committee. Meanwhile, Jan has second thoughts about her engagement to Richie.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. It's a Living Season 3 Episode 9 - The Wedding Show
    7.3/10(28 votes)

    #20 - The Wedding Show

    S3:E9

    Jan and Richie's wedding may be postponed when the judge fails to appear and it seems that the honeymoon may be a threesome.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. It's a Living Season 3 Episode 19 - Dinner with Deedee
    7.3/10(25 votes)

    #21 - Dinner with Deedee

    S3:E19

    Jan is not looking forward to a visit from an old friend who has always outclassed her in every aspect of life.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tom Whedon

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  22. It's a Living Season 4 Episode 5 - Nancy's Sister
    7.3/10(21 votes)

    #22 - Nancy's Sister

    S4:E5

    Nancy is not to pleased with a visit from her sister, Gloria, and things don't improve when Nancy becomes convinced that Gloria is trying to take Howard away from her.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Robert Bruce

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  23. It's a Living Season 4 Episode 8 - The Dot and Howard Show
    7.3/10(24 votes)

    #23 - The Dot and Howard Show

    S4:E8

    After going out one evening to a social event, Dot and Howard begin a series of dates that everyone becomes convinced that Dot and Howard's relationship has turned into something other then platonic.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. It's a Living Season 4 Episode 9 - Farewell, My Sonny
    7.3/10(24 votes)

    #24 - Farewell, My Sonny

    S4:E9

    The hotel hosts a murder mystery but things turn surprisingly real when Sonny becomes the prime suspect in a murder.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tom Whedon

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  25. It's a Living Season 5 Episode 6 - The Date Show
    7.3/10(21 votes)

    #25 - The Date Show

    S5:E6

    Nancy has just the solution to Howard's mid-life crisis: she invites him to a square dance, and she won't take no for an answer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Intruder" is the best rated episode of "It's a Living". It scored 8.1/10 based on 52 votes. Directed by Joel Zwick and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/6/1980. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "You're Not Old, You're Fired".