Who is the Real Cookie Monster?

Every time I read a fiction story, I really read into who the characters are and what they represent. Usually the most unique characters in movies or books are based on real-life people. They might be complete representations of people that the writer or author is familiar with, but their most unique qualities usually are. For example, a movie that has a character that is 6'6" and weighs 400 pounds but likes to garden and dreams of being a nurse is likely based on a real person; I know for a fact that this one is. It's one of my characters. I think it is because real life is typically more peculiar than anything our minds can conjure up. So this got me thinking, who created the Sesame Street characters? There are some characters on the first children's soap opera that are more intriguing than others; here are the ones that I am most interested in.

My favorite character, and the one I relate with the most, is the Cookie Monster. I am not talking about the new Cookie Monster that eats in moderation and only eats tofu or carrots; I'm talking about the old-school Cookie Monster that could down 3 or 4 boxes of thin mints in a minute flat. Even Hemingway is his worst days with booze and opium, or whatever he smoked, couldn't come up with a character like this on his own. The creator must have been in contact with someone that has serious OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). This person must have not known the meaning of the word moderation. Or maybe this person was usually depressed or down on their luck, thus they colored him blue. What about the way that the cookies fly all over the place when he eats? This might be due to the person being viewed a slob, disrespectful or just uncoordinated. I know it's because the real Cookie Monster's mouth was sewn shut, but maybe that was done for a reason.

Another character that gets me is Mr. Snuffleupagus. I don't know about now, but for years only Big Bird could see Snuffy. Snuffy would appear from the back of Big Bird's nest-room, or whatever the heck that thing is where he lives. Was the real Snuffy based on an imaginary character that the creator had as a child. Snuffy, to me, was Sesame Street's answer to Eeyore of Winnie the Pooh fame. He walks around slowly, with his head down, and talks in a low, depressing voice. This character was obviously based on an introvert with social issues. Poor Snuffy, Bird should get him to the neighborhood psychologist before things really get out of hand in his life.

There are so many other intriguing characters on the Street. What is Ernie and Bert's relationship based on? I need not say anymore there. Is Elmo's character based on a crack-addict? Come on, nobody is that happy and giggly all the time. How about the Count? He is another candidate for treatment for compulsive disorders. It seems that the characters on Sesame Street are more real that we think. They exhibit the same problems and characteristics of people that we meet, when we are walking down the street, the people that we meet each day. Sorry, I had to.