TOPG Ep 89: Cool Runnings

Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, it’s Cool Runnings time! This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we revisit the 1993 feel-good sports comedy about the Jamaican bobsled team that inspired a generation to slow-clap in parkas. With John Candy bringing the heart and the underdogs bringing the charm, we ask: does this Disney classic still glide, or has it wiped out in the snowdrift of nostalgia?
Hosts:
Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Cast: Jess & Debbie

Creators and Guests

Mathew Stockton
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
Olen Vanderleeden
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.
Debbie
Guest
Debbie
Debbie is a fierce, unapologetic defender of the 80s, enthusiastic, outspoken, and never afraid to call out the perverts. She brings passion and fire to every episode, whether dissecting the chaos of Airplane!, the action-packed thrills of Running Man, or the gender dynamics in Sleepless in Seattle (she’s got zero tolerance for reverse stalking, thank you very much).
Jess
Guest
Jess
Jessica is the perfect blend of socialite glamour and genuine heart. Her honest reviews come from a place of real connection. She can relate to almost every character and brings a warmth that makes listeners feel like they’re chatting with a close friend. Her laugh is contagious, and her voice, mellifluous.
Pieter Vanderleeden
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.
TOPG Ep 89: Cool Runnings
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