Honestly, looking back at the mid-2010s sitcom landscape, it’s wild how much Young and Hungry season 2 managed to get right while other shows were still trying to find their footing on cable. You remember that cliffhanger? Gabi is headed to Switzerland. Josh is standing there, looking like his world just imploded. It was the kind of TV that felt low-stakes but somehow kept you glued to the couch on a Wednesday night.
If you weren't there for the original run on ABC Family (right as it was transitioning into Freeform), you missed a specific kind of magic. It wasn't high art. It didn't need to be. It was Gabi Diamond, a scrappy food blogger, trying not to burn down the kitchen or her love life.
The Messy Reality of That Gabi and Josh Dynamic
The second season kicked off on March 25, 2015, and it didn't waste a second. We’re talking 21 episodes of pure, unadulterated "will-they-won’t-they" torture. People usually complain about that trope, but Emily Osment and Jonathan Sadowski had this weirdly electric chemistry that made the frustration part of the fun.
Gabi returns from Switzerland—spoiler: she didn't stay long—and things are instantly awkward. Josh has a girlfriend, Sara Reuben, played by Briana Lane. It’s the classic sitcom obstacle. But season 2 pushed it further. It wasn't just about a third party; it was about the power dynamic of a boss and an employee.
Why the Writing Worked
The writers, led by creator David Holden, knew they had a goldmine in the supporting cast. Rex Lee as Elliot and Kym Whitley as Yolanda? They basically carried the B-plots on their backs. Yolanda’s dry wit and Elliot’s high-strung neurosis provided the necessary salt to Gabi’s sugary optimism.
Most people forget that Ashley Tisdale, who executive produced the show, actually showed up as Logan Rawlings again this season. It felt like a High School Musical reunion but with more adult jokes and better catering.
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Young and Hungry Season 2 Guest Stars You Totally Forgot
Sitcoms live and die by their guest spots. This season was stacked.
- Jesse McCartney returned as Cooper. Remember the computer geek who was actually a viable threat to Josh? His arc in season 2 really tested the "endgame" theories fans had.
- Jackée Harry showed up as Yolanda’s sister, Jolanda. The comedic timing there was a masterclass.
- Cheryl Hines played Josh's mom, Kathy. She brought this chaotic, wealthy energy that explained exactly why Josh was so socially stunted when it came to romance.
There was this one episode, "Young & Back to Normal," where everything felt like it might actually settle down. It didn't. Obviously. If things were normal, we wouldn't have a show. The pacing was frantic. One minute they’re at a tech gala, the next they’re hiding in a closet because someone’s ex-wife showed up unexpectedly.
The Food Wasn't Just a Prop
Unlike a lot of shows where the character's job is just a background detail, the culinary aspect of Young and Hungry season 2 actually mattered. Gabi’s career growth was a real through-line. She wasn't just a girl chasing a guy; she was a chef trying to prove she belonged in a professional kitchen despite her chaotic personal life.
The show utilized a food stylist to make sure the dishes Gabi "prepared" actually looked legit. It gave the show a sense of place. San Francisco felt like a character, even if most of it was shot on a soundstage in Burbank.
Dealing With the Freeform Rebrand
Halfway through the production cycle of this season, the network started shifting its identity. ABC Family was becoming Freeform. This resulted in a slightly edgier tone. The jokes got a bit sharper. The romantic tensions felt a little more "grown-up."
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People often get confused about the episode count. Season 2 was actually split. You had the first ten episodes, a hiatus, and then the "Young & Next Step" back-half that ran into the fall of 2015. This was back when cable networks were experimenting with how to keep audiences engaged year-round.
Why We Still Talk About It
The reason this season sticks in the brain is the ending. "Young & Partied Out." It left fans in a total tailspin.
Sitcoms usually play it safe. They give you the win in the finale. But season 2 leaned into the complication. It asked if two people from completely different worlds—the billionaire tech mogul and the girl with a broken car and a dream—could actually make a life work without it being a total disaster.
The Realistic Side of the Fantasy
Despite the glossy lighting and the "multicam" laugh track, there was a kernel of truth in Gabi’s struggle. She was broke. She was talented but overlooked. She was making mistakes. That’s why the show resonated with the millennial demographic. We were all Gabi Diamond, just without the gorgeous San Francisco penthouse and the personal assistant.
Moving Forward with the Series
If you’re revisiting the show or watching it for the first time on streaming, pay attention to the costume design this season. Gabi’s wardrobe became iconic in its own right—the bright colors, the vintage prints, the "I just threw this on but I look amazing" vibe. It influenced a whole wave of "adorkable" fashion that dominated Pinterest for years.
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The show eventually ran for five seasons and a total of 71 episodes, but many purists argue that the writing in the second year was the tightest. It had the highest stakes because the "newness" of the premise hadn't worn off yet, but the characters were established enough that the writers could take risks.
To get the most out of your rewatch or your first dive into the series:
- Watch the Cooper Arc closely. It’s easy to dismiss him as a secondary love interest, but Jesse McCartney’s performance actually highlights Josh’s biggest flaws.
- Focus on Yolanda and Elliot’s friendship. By the middle of season 2, they stop being just "the help" and become the emotional core of the household.
- Track the recipes. Gabi’s "Dumped Pasta" or her various comfort foods are actually based on real culinary concepts—look up the "Young and Hungry" recipes online, as Freeform released many of them during the original airing.
- Look for the cameos. From Kylie Minogue to Betty White (who appeared in season 1 but left a lasting legacy on the show's tone), the series consistently punched above its weight class with talent.
The series is currently available on various streaming platforms like Freeform's website, Hulu, or for purchase on Amazon Prime. It’s the ultimate "comfort food" television. It’s short, punchy, and reminds you of a time when TV didn't have to be a dark, gritty prestige drama to be worth your time.
Start with the episode "Young & Too Late." It sets the tone for everything that follows in the season. You'll see exactly why the Gabi/Josh saga became a staple of mid-2010s pop culture.