In the high-stakes world of television production, Randy Douthit is a veteran who knows how to keep cool under pressure. As the longtime executive producer and director of the broadcast hit courtroom show Judge Judy, and now the streaming show Judy Justice on Amazon Freevee, Douthit has shaped the mold for arbitration TV. But when he’s not calling the shots in the studio, you might find him on a racetrack — in the driver’s seat.
For Douthit, racing is the ultimate escape from the demands of his day job. “I have to say that I love race cars and I do spend some time in them,” he confesses. “And it’s a lot of fun.”
It may seem counterintuitive for someone with such a high-pressure career to seek out even more adrenaline in his free time. But as actor and fellow racing enthusiast Paul Newman once said, “Whatever is rolling around your head goes out the window.” For Douthit, the intense focus required on the racetrack provides a welcome respite from the constant decision-making of the TV world.
“You don’t want to drive too slowly,” Randy Douthit warns. “Too slowly can be just as dangerous, if not more so, than driving too fast. So you’ve got to follow the line — what’s called the racing line — so you can make turns efficiently and quickly. But most of all, it’s fun.”
Randy Douthit: ‘The Marriage of Human and Machine’
Douthit sees parallels between racing and television production. “Racing is the ultimate marriage of human and machine. Each component contributes to the other and they both make each other better. Each brings out the other’s best,” he explains. “It is like television. Television is about capturing a moment. You get great moments when the team is working together as a unit. “
About working alongside the inimitable star of Judge Judy, Judith Sheindlin, Douthit says, “I am amazed at her energy. She never stops.”
Her eponymous court shows, which Douthit helms and executive produces, are the gold standard for televised arbitrations. . Douthit’s news background, including stints at CNN, where he created the show Crossfire and produced Larry King Live, prepared him well for the quick thinking and storytelling skills required to make compelling television day after day, year after year.
With Judy Justice, Douthit is excited to bring Sheindlin’s signature wit and wisdom to a new platform and audience. And he approaches the challenge with the same philosophy he brings to the racetrack: “Do it right the first time and do it fast.”
Douthit is a student of philosopher Walter Russell’s teachings, particularly the idea that people should focus on the results that can come from small things. “You have to do the small things well. You have to get them right. Because if you don’t, you are failing the big subject. Small things can really take away from the big subject if you don’t do them in the right way.”
Pursuing Passions at Full Throttle
Even with his incredible success in television, Randy Douthit has always made time for his other great passion. “Where I grew up, there was a go-kart track,” he recalls. “I wasn’t there enough, but I was there a lot. And even through college, I was racing cars.”
Though his racing took a back seat during the most demanding years of his career, Douthit has recently recommitted himself to the sport, No matter how much experience he has, Douthit admits racing still gives him a few butterflies. “No matter how many times you’ve done it, the first time you’re on the track and on the day, you’re a little nervous,” he confides. “You don’t want to show that you’re nervous, but there’s always that somewhat of a fear, which you want to get rid of as soon as possible. Because once you have your self-confidence, then you’re doing very, very well.”
At the end of the day, whether he’s in the director’s chair or the driver’s seat, Randy Douthit is someone who follows his passions at full throttle. His dedication to excellence and willingness to push himself to the limit have made him a star in two very different, but equally thrilling, arenas. As he puts it, “It’s always a mix of people and it’s a great equalizer. Everyone’s equal when they go out on the track.” The same could be said for the courtroom — at least when Randy Douthit calls the shots.