Starting 5

Cohost Cody picks against a robot and that's really all there is to say. Featured in this episode: a shocking number of badass housewives, an accurate NBA comp for once, so many catchphrases, and an unnamed character.

In the third matchup in the Nickelodeon bracket, Dillon squares off against first-timer Steven. The old English classroom piggybacking chemistry is rekindled and the power of subverting Zoom's 40-minute limit goes to Dillon's head a little. By his own admission, this is the hardest decision Chase has had to moderate so far. This ep features the king of the long game, an anti-team, the fiercest member of the Furious Five, a long stretch of 4 on 4, more comps to real-life basketball than ever before, and the horror of all horrors: Felinius and Caninius.

Sitting just a few feet apart on separate Zoom calls, Jacob and James duke it out in the second Nickelodeon showdown. In the midst of troubling technological difficulties and some PTSD flashbacks of their smoldering last apartment, Jacob still manages to SHOUT OUT TALKIN' SAUCE. This episode features everyone's favorite penguin not voiced by Elijah Wood, more deep cuts from Fairly Odd Parents, the turtle most likely to throw one down over Master Splinter, and a vintage water v fire matchup.

The Nickelodeon bracket kicks off with the man himself (CTRL ALT P) vs ill-prepared Isaac, who goes a long way towards changing his moniker. This episode brings out the premiere heavy hitters of the Nick universe and ends with a rant of epic proportions by the loser. Featuring the meanest step-back in the league, some truth-telling boots, a turtle battle, some surf and turf, and a defense of genocidal dictators.

We've come a long way, and the day is finally here: Teabo's "Five's Five" vs Cody's "Seattle Divinity" in the Cartoon Network finale. Cue the fanfare, cause this episode holds up. There's a behind-the-scenes look into the shockingly dark locker room antics of Teabo's team, a magnificent call to holiness from a legitimate deity, dogs, fun facts, questions of sustainability, and of course: stretchy dunks.

Championship dreams have ended, only the diehards remain in the stands, players are scuffing their heels. That's right, it's the third place game. With a faux-bronze medal on the line, Dillon and Kenny slug it out in a war of attrition while Chase swings by to keep the energy levels reasonable. This ep features a conversation about whether it's a kicked ball violation if a dog uses its front paws, some more Clover disrespect, a level-headed assessment of DeeDee, a sob-story plot line, and some brilliant impressions.

In the second game of the second round of the Cartoon Network bracket, we pit Kenny against Teabo in a mouth-watering matchup. Featuring positionless basketball, a dictionary definition of the word "dribble," a gun with no serial number, some high speculation on Numbah 5's vert, and the mental fortitude of a 10-year-old.

In the first matchup of the second round, it's a war between Commander Cody and Dilly on the Street. With a birth in the Cartoon Network Final on the line, we bring in Jalen for some moderation. Get ready for extendo-dunks, Brandon Ingram comps, a costly mental breakdown, the 2011 Cartoon Network Alien of the Month, and Carl Weathers' golden silky tones.

In today's very special episode, Dillon brings in the creative driving force of this season (Darius, Peanut, CTRL-ALT-P, Big Daddy Roast) to review the picks that have been made in the first round and highlight the characters that got shafted. So if you've been listening along and screaming at your phone for certain picks to be made, prepare to be disappointed as we fail to bring them up in this one as well. But get after us on our twitter page (@starting57) with anybody that we missed.

In the final episode of First Round of the Cartoon Network Bracket, we get another blockbuster matchup. Creator of not only the musical accompaniment of this podcast, but also the idea for the entire second season, we have Darius (Peanut (ctrl alt p (Big Daddy Roast))). Standing opposite we have the man whose voice has become as soothing and necessary to ya'll's ears as my very own: Cohost Cody. This episode features a glaring lack of small ball, some cuts so deep they'll bring you to tears, yet another dog, and some characters who are actually shown playing basketball.