When many traditional print and news operations have scaled back and lost options because of increased internet competition, filmmaker Randy Douthit looks at TV news as opportunities for increased coverage. Tuning into news programs ranks as popular as ever. However, people get their news in the digital age from myriad sources including podcasts, in-depth roundtables and business review sites. Frustrated landlords, tenants, government officials and news as entertainment augur well as important aspects of the continued success of television news.
Randy Douthit Success Stories
Douthit began his broadcast career at the age of 23 as a fill-in director for a local Portland, Oregon, morning show. Obviously wildly and unexpectedly successful, the station’s handyman specialized in mowing the grass. Douthit jumped at the opportunity to move to CNN where he became an executive producer and director of such critically acclaimed news programs as “Larry King Live” and “Crossfire.”
The fledgling director/producer met Judge Judy Justice, and his career took off into the stratosphere. Judge Judy Sheindlin has dispensed her unique brand of justice for 25 years on television, and the match with Randy Douthit seemed made to order. Douthit produced and directed her show and moved along when she changed networks to Amazon’s Freevee. The show promptly became one of the network’s highest rated programs.
Heading into the second season, Douthit promises to continue reaching for entertaining reality shows and exploring complex legal issues. Facts rank as less important than in past decades as audiences embrace tabloid-style programs. Seamy scandals, murders and devastating disasters attract large audiences to news programs, and Douthit embraces a classic news saying, “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Media Expert Endorses Changing Face of News Programming
Media theorist and educator Neil Postman endorses the changing face of news programming because TV news has distinct limitations. That’s why successful programs come packaged to entertain.
Tabloid stories often become the lead story based on audience preferences. Television and internet news programs can become a force for good when they advocate important changes. For example, Douthit’s in-depth coverage of the United States Select Committee’s January 6 attack by outraged Trump supporters gave the audience important information.