The Substitute (1996) – The Most Overqualified Substitute Teacher Ever?
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we head back to school with The Substitute (1996), where Tom Berenger proves that the best way to deal with a difficult classroom is apparently to send in a mercenary. With gangs, corruption, covert operations, and a teaching style definitely not approved by the school board, this is peak 90s action-movie logic. But is The Substitute an underrated action gem, or should this class have been dismissed decades ago? Time to find out.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Emily & Clef Seeley
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Emily & Clef Seeley
Creators and Guests
Host
Mathew Stockton
Mathew Stockton is co-host of Too Old or Pure Gold and the voice behind the acclaimed true crime podcast Dark Poutine. Known for his dry wit, sharp cultural takes, and unapologetic disdain for both Tom Cruise and David Hasselhoff, Mathew brings a grounded, no-nonsense edge to the show. Check Mathew out on Dark Poutine and follow his dog Steve at Steve_couldnt_leave
Host
Olen Vanderleeden
A Gen X creative whose career spans cannabis, clean tech, and media, but his real passion is stuck in a time warp somewhere between a VHS rental and a training montage. As the creator, producer, and co-host of Too Old or Pure Gold, Olen channels his lifelong love of 80s cinema, especially the high-kicking, synth-scored, gloriously weird corners of it, into a podcast that celebrates, critiques, and reexamines the movies that shaped a generation.
Guest
Clef Seeley
Clef Seeley is is the composer of our theme music and soundtrack critic. He’s just as comfortable appreciating the lighthearted charm of Remo Williams as he is unpacking the psychological layers of Videodrome. Clef brings a rare balance of joy and depth to the pod, always ready to laugh, but never afraid to go deep when a film demands it.
Guest
Emily
Emily brings both smarts and heart to every episode she's on. She throws herself fully into every analysis, championing genuine emotional moments while not suffering fools. With actual school smarts, Emily keeps Mathew on his toes. He might have heard of the book, but Emily has read it.
Guest
Pieter Vanderleeden
At 93, Pieter is the tireless heart of Pieter’s Plot Corner, watching and studying every film we cover, then delivering a brilliant and succinct plot summary for listeners who may not have seen (or survived) the movie in question. He missed a lot of these films in the '80s, but he’s catching up now, and loving (almost) every minute. Equally dedicated to the good and the awful, Pieter is an essential part of the podcast family and a fan favorite in his own right.
