Which era was better - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 07-23-2019, 05:39 AM

The "Cassie era" with Ann Jillian (Seasons 1-3) or the "Ginger era" with Sheryl Lee Ralph (Seasons 4-6).

Kasey · 07-25-2019, 09:05 AM

The Cassie era of course! She was like the "Flo" of this show, and when she left it was never as good. It was missing that certain spark without her IMO. They needed a real sassy character (someone like Jackee really would have livened things up; Ginger was a bore).

TMC · 09-17-2019, 04:42 AM

It's a Living in a round about way, kind of reminds me of Charlie's Angels, and not just because they aired on ABC during the early 1980s. You have Ann Jillian, who like Farrah Fawcett, wasn't on the show that long even though they're arguably, the most iconic cast members for their respective shows. Sheryl Lee Ralph like Cheryl Ladd on Charlie's Angels, was actually on the show longer than the woman for whom she replaced.

Also, just like with Kate Jackson's departure from Charlie's Angels following Season 3, it's arguable that the producers didn't really count on (since it wasn't the first time that they had to replace a major character) how much Ann Jillian's departure from It's a Living hurt.

And just like with Jaclyn Smith and David Doyle (and if it counts, John Forsythe) on Charlie's Angels, Barrie Youngfellow, Gail Edwards, Paul Kreppel, and Marian Mercer were the only ones who stuck with It's a Living from beginning to end.

TeeVeeCloset · 09-17-2019, 08:09 AM

As an original viewer and now enjoying its incredible resurgence I am and always was a Ann fan, but season 1 for me is the best, plus to be as respectful to all as possible, I much preferred the season one waitress attire, as it was changed for the rest of the series.

I always wondered did they not want to visually over-expose the actresses past season one or was it because of the additional though beautiful in her own way, was the change in covering up a bit in attire due to the addition of Louise Lasser?

Kasey · 09-17-2019, 08:29 AM

Yes, Louise was a "mature woman" by 1981 and had gained a lot of weight since her Mary Hartman days just 5 years before, so it would have looked inappropriate for her to wear the "spaghetti straps" uniform of Season 1. Or perhaps ABC was trying to "tone it down" in regards to the jiggle factor since they reportedly got a lot of backlash about the show that first season, which is also the reason they changed the title for Season 2.

TV Guy · 09-21-2019, 04:18 PM

I was disappointed when I tuned in for season 4 and Ann Jillian was gone. Her departure wasn’t publicized ahead of time.

myowndrownedworld · 07-17-2020, 06:08 AM

The Ginger era. I never cared for Cassie and I never found Ann Gillian to be funny. But it was unfortunate they never gave the character a proper departure though.

mustCtv · 08-04-2020, 09:43 PM

I'm partial to Nancy and Howard, so I'd lean toward the 3-6 seasons for that reason. Also, there seemed to be a better balance and more of a family atmosphere among the characters in the latter years, which the cast continuity no doubt helped. That said, there was good stuff in the earlier seasons too.

TMC · 11-25-2020, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myowndrownedworld

The Ginger era. I never cared for Cassie and I never found Ann Gillian to be funny. But it was unfortunate they never gave the character a proper departure though.

What's ironic is that some may think that the show jumped the shark when Ann Jillian departed but the show finally found stability when Sheryl Lee Ralph came onboard. So Season 3 (the first syndication season) could serve as a bridge between the ABC years and the syndication run.

TVLegend · 11-26-2020, 01:26 PM

The Cassie era. I didn’t like Ginger all that much, she was okay, I just didn’t like her too much. And I refuse to watch any episode after Season 4 so I like the Cassie era way better.

TVLegend · 11-29-2020, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

What's ironic is that some may think that the show jumped the shark when Ann Jillian departed but the show finally found stability when Sheryl Lee Ralph came onboard. So Season 3 (the first syndication season) could serve as a bridge between the ABC years and the syndication run.

It went downhill when Ann Jillian left, but officially jumped the shark when Howard married Nancy and everybody else got married.

From there on, it became The Howard-Nancy-And-The-Every-Waitress-But-Dot-Gets-Married-Out-Of-The-Blue Show. Why would Howard even wanted to be married to the same crazy, snooty, stuck up, snotty, annoying, miserable woman who repeatedly sexually harassed him?

If this was in real life, Howard would’ve sued Nancy for sexual harassment a LONG time ago. God, Howard was an idiot.

SitcomsHeydayfan · 12-11-2020, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasey

The Cassie era of course! She was like the "Flo" of this show, and when she left it was never as good. It was missing that certain spark without her IMO. They needed a real sassy character (someone like Jackee really would have livened things up; Ginger was a bore).

I just started watching this and so far have only seen episodes with Ralph. Not a bad show show but not fantastic either.

icecream · 12-30-2020, 09:31 AM

Ann Jillian sucks, she was very boring and overrated. Season 3 with Crystal Bernard's addition was when it started to get better, then when Ginger came was when It's a Living hit its stride.

TVLegend · 12-31-2020, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

Ann Jillian sucks, she was very boring and overrated. Season 3 with Crystal Bernard's addition was when it started to get better, then when Ginger came was when It's a Living hit its stride.

How did you like Louise Lasser?

Kasey · 01-01-2021, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

Ann Jillian sucks, she was very boring and overrated. Season 3 with Crystal Bernard's addition was when it started to get better, then when Ginger came was when It's a Living hit its stride.

Funny how Cassie seems to be the most-mentioned of all the characters all these years later, but rarely anything about Crystal Bernard or Sheryl Lee Ralph.

https://poptrashmuseum.com/blog/its-a-living

View Poll Results: Which seasons were better
Seasons 1-3 (1980-82; 1985-86)	8	47.06%
Seasons 4-6 (1986-89)	9	52.94%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

07-23-2019, 05:39 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,747	Which era was better The "Cassie era" with Ann Jillian (Seasons 1-3) or the "Ginger era" with Sheryl Lee Ralph (Seasons 4-6).

09-17-2019, 04:42 AM	#3
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,747	It's a Living in a round about way, kind of reminds me of Charlie's Angels, and not just because they aired on ABC during the early 1980s. You have Ann Jillian, who like Farrah Fawcett, wasn't on the show that long even though they're arguably, the most iconic cast members for their respective shows. Sheryl Lee Ralph like Cheryl Ladd on Charlie's Angels, was actually on the show longer than the woman for whom she replaced. Also, just like with Kate Jackson's departure from Charlie's Angels following Season 3, it's arguable that the producers didn't really count on (since it wasn't the first time that they had to replace a major character) how much Ann Jillian's departure from It's a Living hurt. And just like with Jaclyn Smith and David Doyle (and if it counts, John Forsythe) on Charlie's Angels, Barrie Youngfellow, Gail Edwards, Paul Kreppel, and Marian Mercer were the only ones who stuck with It's a Living from beginning to end.
	Last edited by TMC; 07-20-2020 at 12:19 AM.

09-17-2019, 08:09 AM	#4
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	As an original viewer and now enjoying its incredible resurgence I am and always was a Ann fan, but season 1 for me is the best, plus to be as respectful to all as possible, I much preferred the season one waitress attire, as it was changed for the rest of the series. I always wondered did they not want to visually over-expose the actresses past season one or was it because of the additional though beautiful in her own way, was the change in covering up a bit in attire due to the addition of Louise Lasser?
	__________________ Living near "Ozzie Nelson Drive".....

12-30-2020, 09:31 AM	#13
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,631	Ann Jillian sucks, she was very boring and overrated. Season 3 with Crystal Bernard's addition was when it started to get better, then when Ginger came was when It's a Living hit its stride.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

07-25-2019, 09:05 AM	#2
Kasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,143	The Cassie era of course! She was like the "Flo" of this show, and when she left it was never as good. It was missing that certain spark without her IMO. They needed a real sassy character (someone like Jackee really would have livened things up; Ginger was a bore).

09-17-2019, 08:29 AM	#5
Kasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,143	Yes, Louise was a "mature woman" by 1981 and had gained a lot of weight since her Mary Hartman days just 5 years before, so it would have looked inappropriate for her to wear the "spaghetti straps" uniform of Season 1. Or perhaps ABC was trying to "tone it down" in regards to the jiggle factor since they reportedly got a lot of backlash about the show that first season, which is also the reason they changed the title for Season 2.

09-21-2019, 04:18 PM	#6
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I was disappointed when I tuned in for season 4 and Ann Jillian was gone. Her departure wasn’t publicized ahead of time.

07-17-2020, 06:08 AM	#7
myowndrownedworld Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 27, 2014 Posts: 102	The Ginger era. I never cared for Cassie and I never found Ann Gillian to be funny. But it was unfortunate they never gave the character a proper departure though.

08-04-2020, 09:43 PM	#8
mustCtv Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 19, 2019 Posts: 7	I'm partial to Nancy and Howard, so I'd lean toward the 3-6 seasons for that reason. Also, there seemed to be a better balance and more of a family atmosphere among the characters in the latter years, which the cast continuity no doubt helped. That said, there was good stuff in the earlier seasons too.

11-26-2020, 01:26 PM	#10
TVLegend Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2020 Location: United States Posts: 4,306	The Cassie era. I didn’t like Ginger all that much, she was okay, I just didn’t like her too much. And I refuse to watch any episode after Season 4 so I like the Cassie era way better.