BroncosZone search:
Selected BroncosZone searches:
Players Broncos Picks Injuries Projections Rookies Blogs Superbowl
The 2009 Denver Broncos: Mahanahmahnah or Phenomenon?
Published: July 21, 2009
Absurdly enough, in the late 1970s, the success of PBS program Sesame Street spurred on a prime-time half-hour syndicated show known as The Muppet Show. Both were creations of the late Jim Henson. It was designed to be a cross-over family oriented entertainment program.
The show would feature celebrity guest that would usually serve as the programs musical talent. It was a true variety program that featured the likes of John Denver, Harry Belafonte, to the hard rock band RUSH, Linda Ronstadt, and Rita Moreno.
The show gave birth to such comical skits as Pigs In Space, The Swedish Chef, At the Dance, and Veterinarian’s Hospital, a clear comedic take-off on daily soaps, most specifically General Hospital. Moreover the show led to a series of Muppet movies.
Perhaps the most memorable skit of all time was not so much of a skit as it was one of the first music videos to hit the big time. The skit ironically became a phenomenon among American school kids for its simplicity and Muppet angle on sophistication.
It’s simply known as Mahnahmahnah!
It featured one of the shows rock and roll hippie free spirit Muppets singing in a gibberish sort of way “Mahanahmahnah!” It was done with a soft-rock or jazzy scat singing vibe. This was done with two pink lady cows singing back-up, while dancing in the forefront of the camera. The pink lady cows were singing “Do-do-dooo Do-do-dooo Do-do-dooo Do-do-do-do-dooooo!”.
At least that’s what they are supposed to be…cattle…right?
The end of the song-skit featured two elderly Muppet men in the balcony, regulars on the show, commenting after the skit.
One commented to the other.
“The question is: What is a Mahanahmahnah?”
The other replies with the punch line: “The question is who cares?”
So what is it that the 2009 Denver Broncos have in common with The Muppet Show?
Is it Pigs in Space?
Could it be The Swedish Chef or a slew of celebrity guest appearances?
No, most obviously not.
Could it be the vertically stripped socks?
Possibly.
This preseason the Denver Broncos are facing Pandora ’s Box from this past off-season.
Success or failure will be measured in two words.
Should the Broncos bounce back and find themselves in the playoffs it could be deemed nothing short of a phenomenon.
Anything short of that is mahanahmahnah: AKA who knows/who cares?
The more likely scenario Pat Bowlen and Josh McDaniels are facing head on is the risk of becoming irrelevant.
Simply stated the 2009 Denver Broncos have become the offseason laughing stock. The team terminated a long respected headmaster among other front office talent. They also traded a disgruntled Jay Cutler who was happy until Josh McDaniels showed up on the scene.
Additionally, the McDaniels Broncos have been guilty of trading a future higher draft pick for an immediate lower one.
Those moves don’t even account for a now disgruntled Brandon Marshall who has promised to be at Training Camp once it starts. In the end, however, Coach McDaniels approach to build the team in Denver has met resistance, in large part because of the new angle, his youthful ways, and ego.
Not since The Muppets Take Manhattan has an arrival been viewed so oddly by so many.
Should the Broncos win the division outright and make the playoffs that would be a most unexpected phenomenon!
In some regards, the soap operatic turns in Dove Valley have been worthy of their own following and recordings for late-night replay.
In some regards it’s like Harry Connick Jr.’s soundtrack for Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan’s classic When Harry Met Sally.
Phenomenon! Mahanahmahnah!
Let’s call the whole thing off!
Face the facts. Even if the Broncos have some success this season, there is still going to be a segment of the fan base that would rather see Jay Cutler behind center for years to come.
Moreover, in a game that means everything, would you rather have Coach Shanahan or Coach McDaniels on your sideline?
Phenomenon! Mahanahmahnah!
Let’s call the whole thing off!
Why you ask? Well here’s the schedule and the projected results.
2009 Preseason
Denver @ San Francisco 49’ers (The starters play a quarter or so) Mahanahmahnah!
Denver @ Seattle Seahawks (The starters play a quarter to a half) Mahanahmahnah!
Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos (Phenomenon! @ Mahanahmahnah!) Not since the Green Bay Packers talked trash after the Broncos beat them in the Super Bowl has a pre-season game had so much meaning as Jay Cutler will return to Denver as a Chicago Bear.
By the way the Packers lost the preseason game in Denver as a follow-up to the Broncos first Super Bowl Championship.)
Arizona Cardinals @ Denver Broncos (The last chance to make the roster.) A possible phenomenon or two make the final roster.
Watch out, here comes the regular season.
2009 Regular Season
Denver at Cincinnati Bengals (Carson Palmer is ready to go, is Kyle Orton and the Broncos D?) Mahanahmahnah!
Cleveland Browns @ Denver (Broncos win the home opener.)
Phenomenon!
Denver @ Oakland Raiders (Raiders are much improved but their QB situation is a mystery as well.)
Toss-up!
Dallas Cowboys @ Denver (Tony Romo broke up with his girl, but he’s still Tony Romo.)
Phenomenon!
New England Patriots @ Denver (No servant is greater than his master.)
Mahanahmahnah!
Denver @ San Diego Chargers (San Diego has blown Denver out more than any other team in recent years.)
Mahanahmahnah!
Bye Week
Phenomenon! Or Mahanahmahnah! That is the question!
Denver @ Baltimore Ravens (The Ravens are for real, but don’t have the best offense. This may be a possible Broncos upset here, but they don’t usually play well in Baltimore.)
Mahanahmahnah!
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos (The Broncos play the Steelers better than most.)
Phenomenon!
Denver @ Washington (A good franchise seeking identity @ A good franchise seeking identity.)
Toss-Up!
San Diego Chargers @ Denver (Broncos get the ground game going and improve on defense.)
Phenomenon!
New York Giants @ Denver (Broncos D causes headaches for Eli.)
Phenomenon!
Denver @ Kansas City Chiefs (Broncos don’t play well in KC past October.)
Mahanahmahnah!
Denver @ Indianapolis Colts (Maybe the Broncos should call Marvin Harrison.)
Mahanahmahnah!
Oakland Raiders @ Denver (Broncos defend the home field against the hated Raiders.)
Phenomenon!
Denver @ Philadelphia (B-Dawk will be missing his boys on the other side of the ball.)
Mahanahmahnah!
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver (The Broncos try to beat the surging Chiefs.)
Toss-up!
In case you’re keeping score.
Phenomenon’s: 6
Mahanahmahnah’s: 7
Toss-Ups: 3
At least on the surface, this does not appear to be a franchise heading in the right direction, but we won’t know for certain until the Broncos start playing football. That’s the beauty of Pandora’s box.
The irony could run strong here. If the Broncos are unable to show they have taken a step in the right direction, people will be asking all the right questions about them as well.
The unfortunate Mahanahmahnah is that if they are unable to convince the fan base that they are headed in the right direction, they face losing one of the strongest fan bases in all of professional sports. This will be coming in the face of a down economy.
If the Broncos aren’t improving this season, at least they still have the Copper Bowl throwback—reject jerseys to entertain the masses.
Phenomenon! Mahanahmahnah!
Let’s call the whole thing off!
Face it, if the Broncos can’t score enough points or have a markedly better defense, well then the question will be: “Who cares?”
So maybe the question and answer is plain and simply this:
How will the Broncos do? (At this point it’s an unknown phenomenon!)
Mahanahmahnah!
Do-do-dooo Do-do-dooo Do-do-dooo Do-do-do-do-dooooo!
Sponsored Links
Buy Denver Broncos Tickets, NFL Tickets, Football Tickets and Sports Tickets at StubPass.com.