TOPG Ep83: Smokey and the Bandit
This week on Too Old or Pure Gold, we fire up the Trans Am and hit the open road with Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and we’re joined by special guest Vinnie Tortorich for the ride. Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Jackie Gleason turn a simple beer run into a high speed, mustache fueled game of cat and mouse. Packed with car chases, CB radio trash talk, and outlaw charm, we break down whether this road trip classic still cruises smoothly or has finally run out of gas.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Special Guest: Vinnie Tortorich
Cast: Nicole & Anthony
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Special Guest: Vinnie Tortorich
Cast: Nicole & Anthony
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
Anthony
A true renaissance man and our resident construction sage, Anthony brings a no-frills, all-heart perspective. He’s our go-to voice on all things structural, whether it’s a collapsing bridge in an 80s action flick or the logic gaps in a flimsy plot. As the show’s self-appointed “dog acting” critic, he’s got a keen eye for canine performances and a low tolerance for cinematic nonsense.
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.
Guest
Vinnie Tortorich
Vinnie Tortorich is a renowned fitness expert, author, podcaster, and motivational speaker and a longtime favorite among the crew. As host of the Fitness Confidential podcast, Vinnie’s sharp wit and no-nonsense style have made him a go-to voice in health and wellness. He’s the author of the bestselling book Fitness Confidential and the documentarian behind FAT, as well as Dirty Keto, released last year. Vinnie is also the founder of Pure Vitamin Club, Pure Coffee Club, and NSNG Foods.
