Could we clarify the cast changes and who received top billing on "It's a Living"

There was one fucking star and we all know who it was.

I was a kid when this show was on, and I never understood why Barrie Youngfellow got the "and" at the end. I knew that "and" and "with" at the end of credits was for an actor who--in their own mind at least--was slumming it in an ensemble role when their previous work would OBVIOUSLY indicate that they should be the STAR!

What had she done previously that made her top dog?

I liked this show as a kid. Ann Jillian and I went to the same church. I’d see her at Saturday services. St. Francis de Sales Church in Sherman Oaks.

The first season opening cast credits began with "Starring Susan Sullivan." And since she played the head waitress, she was clearly the top billed actress among the cast. Sandwiched between the other actors was the first "And" credit: "And Ann Jillian as 'Cassie'," followed by more actors, and then the final, second "And": "And Barrie Youngfellow as 'Jan'." So, despite Ann and Barrie not being household names at the time, they received the veteran star credit. This first season was abbreviated due to the SAG strike, and it also was not a big hit for ABC.

By the second season, Susan had left to do Falcon Crest and Wendy Schaal left to do god-knows-what. Louise Lasser was brought in and the show was retitled "Making a Living." It too, was a dud and the show was canceled after two seasons. However, the show was brought back in syndication 4 years later, running for four seasons.

With

Barrie Youngfellow

As Jan

The show got better in syndication with the additions of Crystal Bernard and Richard Stahl.

Of course, the best cast member was the late Marian Mercer, who should be a DL fave because she could read the phone book and be funny. And she reminded me of an erudite drag queen.

Also, Paul Kreppel as Sonny made his obnoxious character lovable, which is not an easy feat.

Yes

Marian Mercer ("Nancy") and anytime she spoke down to "Dot" was television worth watching.

And the fact that her kryptonite was the chef in the back who wanted nothing to do with her was a fun touch.