Beyond the Lip-Synch: Signing with Cindy

Back in the early 80s, an independent public television show challenged the iron grip of the Solid Gold empire. Yes, straight out of KUHT in Houston, Texas, came Signing with Cindy. In each episode, your fearless hostess reinterpreted some of the hot hits of the day (circa 1982) for the deaf and hard of hearing.

That by itself was a great and noble goal, but creator Cindy Cochran was not satisfied with just transcribing lyrics. She hit upon the brilliant idea of creating her own music videos, with choreographed dancing, costumes, and all the cliches of low budget videography. And she had boatloads of spunk to make it all work.

Thanks to NYC-area drag legend Flloyd, you can now relive these classic moments on YouTube.

Start off with a memorable hit of the era, Pat Benatar's "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" (YouTube), then marvel at her work-out to the theme song from "Fame" (YouTube). But for a real taste of Cindy magic, you must not hesitate to witness her take on the lovely Barbara Streisand dance number "The Main Event" (YouTube or download a 13 meg Quicktime file).  The film the song comes from was a lackluster boxing romance staring La Barbara and Ryan O'Neal. But Cindy and her dancers transcend even Hollywood aspirations with a knock-out performance that would not have been out of place if it were plopped right in the middle of the "Can't Stop the Music" (indeed, the thought of an all-signing Village People movie has made me more than a little excited).

Amazing as those production numbers are, it is the simplest of Cindy's performances that really touch my heart. And so it is with this performance (YouTube), the serenity which harkens back to the simpler times of misty-framed K-Tel compilation ads.

I have vague fever-dream memories of this show airing on Sunday morning PBS stations in the Denver area, but I found precious little information on Ms. Cochran in the more modern internet world. She started working with the deaf through her church group, published a rather groovy companion book, and of course encouraged a whole generation of hard-of-hearing fans to get up and boogie. Oh, and let's not forget that she inspired several fan-fiction scripts for Cagney & Lacey.

Comments

[Kip W]

All signing! All dancing!

[Lance]

So, I wonder where Cindy is these days? I was fortunate to be a KUHT Cameraman on this show. We shot segments at west beach in Galveston, leasing the KAMU production truck. I remember being so concerned at having those Ikegami HL 79-D cameras, 100K each, so close to the ocean and out in the heat and salt air. The Houston Zoo was another site, along with thing done in the old studio at 4513 Cullen Blvd. at KUHT.
Cindy was sweet, a pro, and wonderful to work with. All of the production values were state of the art for 81-82. I think Mim Korshack was the Executive Producer, Mark Schiable the Director, along with "the PBS Houston" Crew: Alice, David, Jeff, Carla, Lewis,
This item was produce by a young crew with great gear and leadership in the booming Houston of '81-'82.
In a way this was the first or at least one of the first "music televisions. -Lance

[Jay Weaver]

Are there any Signing With Cindy tapes or DVDs?
about 25 or so years I saw a series of Signing With Cindy programs on TV. I thought these were very interesting and I would like to get some tapes or videos.

Sincerely:

Jay ([email protected])

[Jimmy Hooker]

Hello this is Jim so I never forget when I was 9 years old in 1973 in camping from Ithaca speech camp so by august 2nd so when I come home and my mom will show me and saw on tv name is signing with cindy so I never forget also I wanna to watch again on tv Signing with Cindy also do you have and dvd as cd so I will buy from Signing with Cindy .

[justme]

Nice story Clinton... Hadnt seen anything abut this in years. My parents taught Cindy sign (at church) and our family was taped in home and at the zoo... If you have any more information on where I can get copies of the old shows, please let me know.
Thanks... and thanks for posting this...

[Trish]

Cindy is the media minister at Grace Crossing Church (formerly Spring Woodlands Church of Christ).

[Jenny]

My elementary class was invited to sit in for a segment. That was the one and only time I have been on TV so it was very exciting. I too would love to get a copy.

[Kellie]

I learned a lot from Cindy! I could never be as good as her, but to this day because of her I can sign Sunshine On My Shoulders to my partner who loves when I do it! I want to find that video of her signing that song!