Joey Mazzarino

Joseph "Joey" Mazzarino has been a writer and performer on Sesame Street since 1990. Beginning with Season 40, he is the show's Head Writer. He wrote his first sketch for the show, the Columbo parody "Colambo," as an audition piece, and soon found himself cast in the title role. He was promoted to head writer in season 40.

Some of his Grouch-related characters are, Itchy, Grundgetta's pet rottendoodle, Swampy (a parody of Kwame Jackson), [http:muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Bug Bug] from The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, and one of the band members of Oscar's Junk Band.