MSNBC Anchors Erupt Over Miss California Press Conference: "Can I Vomit Right Now?" (VIDEO)

MSNBC anchors David Shuster, Contessa Brewer, and Tamron Hall erupted in what the network characterized as a "feisty" discussion over Miss California Carrie Prejean Tuesday morning.

Shortly after pageant owner Donald Trump announced that Prejean would keep her crown despite the recent topless photos of her that have circulated around the internet, Shuster went off on the beauty queen.

"Can I vomit right now?" he asked. "Doesn't this represent everything that is wrong with the superficial nature of these pageants?"

Shuster continued, taking Miss California runner-up Tami Farrell to task for her poor grammar in her appearance on the "Today" show Tuesday morning, where she said that Prejean was "binded," and not "bound," by her contract.

"This entire thing is a sham! It's ridiculous!" he said.

Brewer immediately jumped to pageant contestants' defense, saying, "Some pageant contestants are smarter than others."

"And these two are clearly not very smart," Shuster shot back. "It's all about superficial beauty. This is one of the most superficial events we will find in our culture."

Brewer, who argued that reality TV is more superficial than beauty pageants, fought with her co-anchors to let her get a word in -- "Tamron, let me finish!" Brewer said to Hall -- and called this controversy "a great jumping off point for a conversation about same-sex marriage."

"The only jumping off point is jumping off a cliff if you really believe that people at these pageants have anything worthwhile to say to the rest of us," Shuster responded. "If you really believe that, then that's your jumping off point and I suggest you jump off the cliff, because this is as superficial as you'll ever see."

Watch:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Shuster also tweeted his outrage, writing, "Prejean, who got cosmetic surgery before the pageant, just spoke of 'how women can make a difference in the world.' Absolutely revolting."

Comments

[Seb85]

I don't understand why this issue has gathered this much attention. The whole purpose, as i understand it, of the question and answer portion of the pageant is to get an insight into the character of the person, so that the final crown isn't awarded solely on the physical appearance. She was asked a question to gauge her character, she answered in a way that doesn't reflect positively on what the judges were looking for in a Miss America, and so she lost. Period. Maybe instead of breast implants, the pageant should have financed a university education for Ms. Prejean.

Furthermore, the free speech defense is a complete fallacy. First, as the "twitter" comment referenced in the video stated, free speech may entitle you to speak your mind, but it doesn't negate any responsibility thereof. To illustrate that, think if she had gotten up there and announced that she doesn't believe that black people should be allowed to get married for example, or that Jewish people shouldn't be allowed to get married - would the same defense hold?

As a public figure, any 'free speech' you exercise is automatically subject to public scrutiny. Internally anyone has a right to hold any belief they wish, that's a basic human right, but once that belief is externalized it has to be able to withstand critique.

[progheadd]

Far left loon. I can't stand David and most of the loons at this network. I just can't believe there are people watching this garbage. Carrie is beatiful (not like the MSNBC lineup), smart and support traditional values. Good for her. I hope FoxNews hires her. All of you left wing loons will vomit too! LOL

[LeftistGuerrilla]

Is David Schuster always like that? He was great. Smart, funny. "Jump off a cliff" too funny.

[hype9857]

Is it just me or does Miss California look exactly like Number Six from BSG? She is so a cylon.

[WierdWookie]

David Shuster is a brilliant man and honest!
Educated women have been saying this for years. The whole idea of such "beauty contests" is belittling to woman.

[WierdWookie]

We never miss Shuster. He is saying the same thing smart, educated women have said for years.
By the way... MSNBC's ratings are great.
What are the ratings for the silly "Girls gone wild business, anyhow? Such As....

[Kieran Devane]

Let's not make the same mistake as the Post Office, changing rates often by tiny increments and to values few can remember. So if marriage is going to change to same-sex, why not same-phylum? That way the animal lovers will not be disenfranchised and perceived as inferior. This same species stuff is way to elitist and bigotted. If we are going to be all-inclusive, then be all-inclusive. Personally though, I am offended by those that cross phylum lines; aren't you?

[ConservMom]

Same ol' ha*te tactics on msn. Don't you libs get sick of all the hate, jealousy, fame grab, all the time?
msn is so low in ratings, maybe we can be rid of them soon. I think it's horrible what these mean spirited libs do and say to anyone with another opinion, but yet they scream free speech the loudest when it's their turn. So fake and your show goes to a blind eye now cause we all see through it and cheer Miss California for her stand against your attacks.

[Lulubelle1]

You go, David! It absolutely IS revolting that we're wasting electricity, time, and air even discussing this ridiculous situation.

It's very obvious that our lovely yet ignorant BEAUTY PAGEANT contestant, Miss Prejean, knows less about the significan­ce/applica­tion of the First Amendment than she knows about the many uses of vaseline (for the shiny white smile), doublesided tape, and AquaNet. Today's developments indicate that she also has little understanding of or respect for contract law, which makes her media schedule the business (and yes, I mean business) of the pageant owners/board. Perhaps some lawyer will step forward and explain to Miss Prejean that the pageant organization pretty much owns her for the next year. It's not slavery or indentured servitude, either, because it's a voluntary compensated agreement between her and the pageant. It's safe to assume that she didn't read the contract, LOL.

At this point, I'm tuning in only out of stunned incredulity and the faint hope that people like David Shuster would put it all in its proper context. Thank you so much, David!

[Lest We Forget]

What surprises me is that MSNBC is still on the air. How people can stand watching this stuff is beyond me.

[Kevin Ehsani]

the same can be said about fox news... at least msnbc isnt suck ups to a political party and doesnt read their talking points. fox news has been reading republican talking points since its inception.

[Noble1]

"msnbc isnt suck ups to a political party"?

Give me a break.... Everyone knows them as being the cable news network of the Democratic party... David Shuster is a joke of a journalist...

[JRD-FLA]

Lunatic Fringe

[berrycooda]

JEALOUSY.....

She is getting attention and the other 15 min. of famer's can't stand it...

If some of these people would be honest, it all comes down to the
same sex or the other way...opposite sex.....marriage thing.

For some reason, anybody who talks about their Christian beliefs, gets into
a whole lot of hot water...They have freedom of speech too....

[America08]

I love DAVID SHUSTER! He is always right on point.

[America08]

sorry berry...didn't mean to post under you. oops.

[vslay]

David is a stud.

[ChelseaC]

I Love David Shuster.

[middleoftheroad]

Shuster is an idiot.