Coming out in a notoriously conservative town was a personal victory for “Virgin Territory“‘s Alec, a 21-year-old college student. And the fact that he found acceptance from friends and family was just icing on the cake.

All things considered, Alec has done remarkably well for himself: He owned up to his identity, sought out support from a nearby neighborhood group and hasn’t shied away from any potentially uncomfortable conversation with his curious straight friends. He even brought a couple of them along to a gay mixer to get his sea legs in the dating world and has made a tremendous effort to be forthcoming whenever possible.

The problem is, Alec, who never dated another man while in the closet, has been putting a ton of pressure on himself to nab a boyfriend, and the consequent anxieties have begun to work against him. In an honest conversation with his friends, he said he hasn’t had any luck with love on campus, so he turned to online dating, where he found a potential match but struggled with how to proceed. “I don’t know how to take the next step,” he said. “I don’t know how it works.”

Eventually, Alec worked up the nerve to ask out a 19-year-old named Corey with whom he’d been chatting, but when the big night finally came, Alec was a ball of nerves. Before long, he and Corey settled into a stride — and even shared a first-date kiss — but the ...

If you missed last season’s “Awkward” finale, the upshot of Matty McKibben‘s dilemma is this: The Palos Hills High School student recently started dating a beautiful new transfer student, she turned out to be a bit of a sociopath and now, she might just be pregnant with his baby. And you thought mid-terms were a drag!

When the show returns next Tuesday, September 23 at 10/9c, Matty may have to deal with the very real possibility that he’ll have to forfeit his soccer uniform for a spit rag, and that diaper duty might soon interfere with final exams. And, truthfully, there are times when we think he’s up to the task, but others in which we can’t imagine anyone less suited to buckle in that finicky car seat.

Below are some points that spell out why Matty is (or isn’t) ready for fatherhood. Check ‘em out, tell us where you stand and be sure to tune in to next week’s premiere!

Why Matty’s READY:

Playing catch would always on the table.
Not only is Matty one of PHHS’ top athletes, he’s the first to jump at any opportunity to shake things up. With Matty as a father, a child wouldn’t be denied a single opportunity and would be encouraged to chase after any dream — no matter how crazy. Plus, his or her jump shot would be perfected by age three.

He’s mighty protective of the ones he loves.
Matty’s had a fair share of drama with ...

Snooki‘s already taken to the animal kingdom and the cosmos with her mounting tattoo collection, but her next design might hit a little bit closer to home.

The “Snooki & JWOWW” star, who will soon give birth to Baby #2, shared a plan on her website yesterday to honor Little Lorenzo — and the children she’s yet to have — with a new bit of ink. And since her back, shoulders and arms are all accounted for, she’s set her sights on her neck. Can we get an over-under on the pain?

Snooki's Instagram

“The next tattoo I’m thinking can go on my neck, but I want it to resemble my kids,” Snooki wrote, and added that she’s planning for four. “Every time I have a baby, I want to add to that tattoo. So I’m thinking cute little birdies on my neck with their initials.”

And if you have anything negative to say about the idea, she recommends you keep it to yourself.

“I don’t understand the people who look at mothers who have tattoos and say you are trashy or gross,” she noted. “It’s just a tattoo dude, lighten up. Tattoos are beautiful and it’s a personal choice.”

Excitingly, it looks like the first two fowl might be etched on soon, as Snooki shared last night that labor is imminent.

“Good news! I just went to my doctor and I’m officially starting to dilate…” she tweeted. Hope the hospital bag is packed and ...

Discovering a child has been kidnapped is a hell no parent should ever have to endure, but on tonight’s “Finding Carter” episode, Elizabeth Wilson was forced to live through the horror for a second time.

On the show’s season finale, Lori, who’d seemingly fallen to the wayside after Carter chose to live with her biological family, cold-called the Wilsons while posing as a youth counselor who wanted to arrange a conference with Carter. As the sight of Max being shot had understandably shaken Carter, Elizabeth was completely receptive to the idea of getting her daughter some help, and arranged a meeting between “Claire Gregory” and Carter.

Dressed in a brand-new wig, it was Lori who arrived at the Wilson home for the appointment, though, and Carter, who was stunned by the sight of her, reflexively let her inside. In an otherwise empty house, Carter and the woman she once believed was her mother sorted through the conflicting stories of why Carter was taken. And though Lori pleaded her case and assured Carter there was more to the story than just a vendetta against Elizabeth and David, Carter gave her the cold shoulder and sent her on her way.

Determined to get a follow-up meeting with Elizabeth, “Claire” called back to schedule a sit-down, but Carter clued Elizabeth in to Lori’s scheme. Elizabeth, who’d sworn to Carter that her days of tracking down her daughter’s captor were behind her, was suddenly back on ...

In theory, trips to amusement parks amount to non-stop laughs, thrills and more funnel cake than you can stomach. In practice, the carnival life ain’t always such a good time…

On new MTV series “Happyland,” which premieres September 30 at 11/10c, the true face of the traditional theme park will be unmasked through the eyes of Lucy Velez, a teenager whose life has been spent around the fabricated magic of one of the country’s most beloved attractions, Happyland.

Lucy has big plans to leave the clowns and carnies behind, and start a life that even the lengthiest roller coasters can’t reach. But with the arrival of Ian Chandler, whose family owns the park, she thinks she might finally have found her Prince Charming and considers that sticking around Happyland might not be such a bad idea.

Still, every workplace has its secrets, and just when Lucy’s fairy tale begins to take shape, she’ll learn that “happily ever after” isn’t necessarily a given. Don’t worry, Luce — that kid who puked on his crush after one too many spins on the Tilt-A-Whirl is still probably hurting worse…

Check out the “Happyland” trailer, and be sure to tune in to the season premiere later this month!

Matthew Scott Donnelly

The letters “A,” “B” and “C” line the walls of many a nursery, but Catelynn Lowell plans to outfit her new baby’s room with at least a little bit more of the alphabet.

The “Teen Mom” cast member, who announced she was having a baby with Tyler Baltierra in August, is inching closer to her due date. And though she’s been mum on the details about her new little girl, she gave social media followers one big clue about the name the couple has planned. Plus: color scheme spoilers!

Catelynn Lowell's Instagram

“Just painting baby girls name for her wall,” Cate tweeted with a photo of an orange-painted letter “V.” So let’s just say — for argument’s sake — that “V” is the first letter in the name — what do you think it could be?

Could you see a Veronica Baltierra on the horizon? Should we prepare ourselves to meet little Violet, Victoria or Vivian, or could Vanessa be the couple’s pride and joy? Give your best guesses as to what Cate and Tyler’s baby girl’s name could be!

Matthew Scott Donnelly

Let’s put it this way: “Faking It“‘s Karma won’t soon win any card games with her poker face.

Though the straight Hester High School student convincingly played a lesbian during the show’s first season, she’s never had a talent for hiding her genuine emotions (remember: she was reduced to a teary mess when she guiltily rejected her best friend Amy, who had sincerely developed feelings for her pal). And — good or bad — we’re pretty sure we’re about to get a whoooooole ‘lotta Karmotions.

Akiko Yamamoto

We’re not sure when, or how, but it’s likely that the show’s heaviest and most explosive bomb will have to drop sometime soon, and Karma will learn that her ex Liam and her best friend Amy hooked up. Yup, as showrunner Carter Covington told BuzzFeed, both engaged in some between-the-sheets action to get back at Karma for lying to them in different capacities, but in the light of day, the choice might not have seemed so worth it.

So, if and when the shock subsides, how might Karma react? Will she be understandably pissed, or totally crestfallen by the admission? Is it possible that — with some heavy explanation — she could actually understand Liam and Amy’s actions, or will she shut them out completely, and just mope?

Take a spin on Karma’s wheel of emotion, tell us how you’re expecting her to take the news and be sure to tune in to the ...

These days, your Twitter timeline says as much about you as your taste in movies or fashion sense, and ours is chock full o’ MTV greatness. Between the intriguing “Teen Wolf” stars and the “Code” jokesters, our network’s cast members always have a ton to share on social media. And each week, we’re rounding up the posts that had us RTing like crazy. Check out the latest!

So the werewolves of Beacon Hills might not be, you know, real, but there was nothing artificial about the wolf who tore Kate Argent apart during Monday night’s “Teen Wolf” season finale.

Actress Jill Wagner, who plays the sociopathic werejaguar, posted an Instagram video this week that captures one of nature’s most beautiful beasts strolling around set, and it is NOT MESSING AROUND. “Yes, it was a real wolf,” she assured her followers. Let’s hope that leash was as strong as it looks.

Meanwhile on Twitter, Apple’s new-age technology had DJ Pauly D completely captivated, but Molly Tarlov of “Awkward” aimed to prove she was as basic as they come. And though Snooki was thrilled at all the possibilities for 2014 Halloween pictures, “Teen Mom 2” castie Chelsea Houska‘s penchant for photo-taking didn’t go over so well.

See what some of your favorite MTV stars and cast members had to say on social media this week below!

Matthew Scott Donnelly

After being shot in the chest and rushed to the hospital, “Finding Carter“‘s Max is steadily improving, but the same can’t necessarily be said of Carter and Taylor‘s relationship as the twins await his full recovery.

Taylor, who directed blame for Max’s condition squarely at Carter, eviscerated her sister on the most recent episode, leaving Carter soaked in tears in the hospital cafeteria. Taylor’s words stung, but ultimately, Carter realized she was right to be so upset and apologized for fleeing town with Crash — an action that ultimately led to Max’s incapacity.

“I have put you through hell, but I promise you, I am going to make it up to you,” Carter said.

It was certainly a step in the right direction, but after months of tension between the ladies, wethinks sincere reconciliation will take more than a single verbal Band-Aid. So, here are six activities Carter and Taylor can consider to rebuild their sisterhood. Take a look, and see how the “Finding Carter” season ends on next week’s finale!

1. Try tandem parasailing.
For many, the ocean is a universal cure-all, and if Carter and Taylor had the chance to escape the world a mile above the sea with only each other as company, we predict some solid breakthroughs would follow. You know, unless they spent the ride shrieking in fear…

2. Complete a 500-piece novelty puzzle.
Whether they illustrate sweeping scenes of Yellowstone or a novelty California license plate, puzzles require determination, communication ...

In January, “Girl Code” lost its resident blonde bombshell to the dark side, and it looks like the show’s most fiery redhead is now just a fleeting memory, too.

Carly Aquilino's Instagram

Carly Aquilino, who once professed on the show “We change our hair when something traumatic happens to us, and obviously I’ve been through a lot of s**t,” has done away with her crimson locks in favor of a cotton candy ‘do, and she wasted no time sharing the very pink look on Instagram. Let’s just hope this doesn’t mean she’s in total agony…

“Taking the new hair color to the pizza place like the #classy broad I am!! I’m obsessed,” she captioned the photo above, which includes a collection of delivery boxes in the background. And if you’re as ardent a fan of pizza as Carly, there’s really no better place to make the big debut.

Carly Aquilino's Instagram

Check out the photo, tell us if you’re digging Carly’s new locks and stay tuned to MTV News for updates on “Girl Code” Season 3!

Matthew Scott Donnelly