Randy Douthit is a television director and producer. He was born in Newberg, Oregon, in 1945. He studied at Stanford University from 1968 to 1969. In 1970, Douthit graduated with a psychology degree from Portland State University. Randy served as a producer at King Broadcasting Company from 1970 to 1978. He then joined ABC News, where he worked until 1981. Douthit worked for CNN from 1981 to 1991. He was the executive producer of “Crossfire,” a top show in the 1980s. He also produced “Capital Gang,” CNN’s weekly news panel program. In 1985, Randy executive produced and directed Larry King Live, a Peabody Award-winning program. He later worked for Quincy Jones Enterprises and the Home Box Office before joining New World Entertainment in 1995.
Randy Douthit is best known for producing Judge Judy, which began in 1996 and ended in 2021. Its final episode was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 impacted TV production; several programs suspended filming, and those that continued had to adopt health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. They had to work remotely to shoot Judge Judy’s last part. Judge Judy Sheindlin supervised cases remotely. “The pandemic added costs to TV production,” says Douthit. “The safety and testing procedures increased the duration of a shoot.”
Randy Douthit began making Judy Justice episodes on November 1, 2021, at the height of the pandemic. He directed 120 episodes over three months. “It was a lot,” says Randy. “The work required cooperation. Everyone had to roll up their sleeves to get the work done.” Recently, IMDb announced Season 2 of Judy Justice.