Similar to other industries, the production of television programs was drastically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Various safety protocols were adopted to minimize the spread of the virus, but that didn’t stop production from becoming more difficult. Randy Douthit, executive producer of the Emmy award-winning program Judge Judy, had to face these new challenges head-on.

According to Douthit, safety was the priority. All the changes, from wearing masks to social distancing to regular testing and vaccinations, were all done with the safety of the cast and crew at the forefront. But the changes also brought an attitude shift, in which everyone had to adapt and take on a new way of working while still striving to reach the same level of excellence.

Douthit also says that the added safety steps have become a part of their daily routine. Some crew wasn’t too happy about the guidelines when they were first issued. Some were even resistant to the idea of getting tested. But, as it turns out, those same people were some of the first in line to get themselves tested after witnessing the benefits of it.

Wearing masks and getting tested was not the only thing people had to do. To keep the studio safe, the audience was left vacant for productions. Usually filled with paid extras, the studio was cleared out to minimize exposure.

In addition to office workers who took up remote work during the pandemic, even Judge Judy Sheindlin shifted to a virtual courtroom. From her home on the East Coast, Sheindlin solved cases using video conferencing, where evidence was shown to her on a monitor. It’s certainly not the usual courtroom she presided over, but it’s a testament to how quickly technology can be used to adjust to changing circumstances.

However, the COVID measures did not stop Judy Sheindlin and Randy Douthit from continuing their legacy. The two landed at the streaming service IMDb TV and began producing episodes for “Judy Justice” in 2021. With an impressive production rate, the duo completed 120 episodes within three months! The first batch of episodes aired in 2021, while the remaining episodes premiered early 2022.