\

The entertainment sector is a hard nut to crack for a newcomer. That's why generous industry insiders like Randy Douthit are invaluable assets when it comes to career advice.

Douthit has worked for top-of-the-line networks, including ABC, CNN, and HBO, as a producer and director. Decades of dedicated hard effort may not have made him a household name - but it's a fair bet you've seen his latest achievement, legendary legal reality staple Judge Judy and now,, Judy Justice. 

Randy Douthit: 'Some Mistakes Are Inevitable'

Open to helping others succeed, Randy Douthit is happy to share his best career advice and secrets to his success. The director told medium.com his list of things he wished someone told him when he first started in the business. The most important thing Douthit wished he knew: "Some mistakes are inevitable." No one is perfect, and if you learn and grow from missteps, you won't make them twice.

Another important takeaway: Don't dwell on oversights. Instead, Douthit advises: "Learn quickly from mistakes and move on." Douthit described his experience at CNN when he first produced a current events show. It required him to "digest the  history and the current situation in the Middle East within 12 hours. This business is a great way to grow your brain," he said.

Randy Douthit wished he knew enough to stay focused and keep things simple. "In a world full of negatives and negativity," he explained, "focus on people and things who inspire you and your creativity." And while staying the course, Douthit also said to "keep things simple except when you can't. When you can't, simplify them."

Lastly, this pivotal piece of information is simply: "Enjoy this life." Douthit believes "there is something to gain to learn even from the moments we wish hadn't happened."

'I Was Always Willing To Do the Work'

With those invaluable pieces of information, the director came to his current successes. He attributes his early success to his determination and passion for the job, saying, "I was always there; I was always willing ... to do the work to make sure the show would go on." This determined mindset paid off over the course of his career, earning him six CableACE Awards, six Emmy Awards, and two Peabody Awards. Besides producing CNN interview specials with Presidents Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, and George H.W. Bush, Douthit was called "one of the most creative and energetic producers" by music business legend Quincy Jones.

Partners in Bringing Wrongdoers to Justice - Randy Douthit and Judge Judy

Randy Douthit has always had an interest in the legal system and in the larger political and social system of which it is a part. In fact, while he has worked on courtroom shows Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown, his experience  extends to other well-known shows like Crossfire and Larry King Live. 

The executive producer has worked with Judy Sheindlin, aka Judge Judy, for many years. In a Boss Magazine article, Douthit explained that despite the television personality's no-nonsense attitude on the small screen, Sheindlin is "a very warmhearted person," and is very devoted to her family of five children and 13 grandchildren: "She loves each and every one of them."

While working on Judge Judy, the Emmy award-winning show that ended its historic 25-year run in the fall of 2021, Douthit learned how to accommodate the demands of television production and acquired the ability to navigate working quickly and thoroughly. This is part of the reason Douthit developed his work ethic and became such a good producer, "a skill that no doubt helped him crank out 120 episodes of Judy Justice in just three months," according to the website Boss Magazine. Douthit explained, "It was a lot," and since the work required cooperation from everyone at every level of production, "everyone has to roll up their sleeves and make sure that it gets done."

Douthit has more than 30 years of experience working in television production. In those three decades, one of the biggest lessons he's learned regarding how lawsuits work is that "people tend to get emotional about their case and that can get them in trouble. It's better just to be as straightforward as possible and do the best you can if you want to win."

After spending a quarter of a century at the side of Judy Sheindlin, Douthit admits he picked up a few courtroom pointers along the way. He nowhelms her new streaming show on Freevee, Judy Justice. The show is in its second season of production and Douthit steers the ship as the executive producer and director of the Emmy Award winner, which debuted in November 2021.

With all the impressive accomplishments on his résumé, in a recent article, Douthit admits that among the work he's most proud of  is the work he did at Judge Judy. Judge Judy was the No. 1 program in first-run syndication for 12 seasons in a row, and the series also won three Emmy Awards. 

Randy Douthit's Long Road to Success

Some of Douthit's notable works include three of CNN's highest-rated shows, including Larry King Live, which he created and produced, and the NBC smash hit The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. But these successes didn't happen overnight. Douthit got an early start in local television. At 23, he became a TV director in Portland, Oregon, where he directed newscasts at the local station KGW. There, he also directed public affairs programs, commercials, and remote broadcasts.

Shortly after making his mark at KGW, Douthit was transferred to its sister station, KING-TV in Seattle. He then directed How Come, the Peabody Award-winning children's program. The director was also responsible for various other children's programs and commercials. Douthit soon became the executive producer of the morning talk show Seattle Today. Thanks to his innovation, he helped transform the show from a failing local television series into the highest-rated morning show in the country.

Randy Douthit has also worked in the food industry. He produced a Food Network telethon for Meals on Wheels, which later led to working with NBC legend Brandon Tartikoff. This opened the door for Douthit to create The Mark Walberg Show in New York. Thistransition ultimately led the director to the Judge Judy show, which won three Emmys.

Final Words of Wisdom: 'Sit Quietly'

With all the hustle and bustle involved in his high-pressure job, Douthit recommends getting centered by doing a short, daily meditation and slowly increasing its duration. "Sit quietly in a space alone," he told IdeaMensch, and "quiet all the noises your mind makes." Douthit believes in doing this short mindful moment, your mind will conjure up wonderful ideas. And after your mind has curated those ideas, put them into action. Douthit also credits the growth trajectory of his success in simply getting along with people: "You cannot always predict who you may need help from in the future."

For those interested in a path in television production, Douthit's career has proven to be one to be emulated. Open to helping others, the successful director advises: "It's hard work. But if you love the job, you'll succeed." He adds that he's loved his job and gives credit to his success in the industry on doing it well: "I think if people enjoy doing it, they will also do it well."