This made me think of Conan's commencement speech at Darthmouth where he talks about a string of comedians who he considered 'failures': Johnny Carson tried to be like Jack Benny but failed and became Johnny Carson. David Letterman tried to become very funny like Johnny Carson but failed, and in doing so, became David Letterman. Many of Conan O Brien's generation of comics tried to become like David Letterman but failed to do, each becoming unique in their own regards.

“It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique. It's not easy, but if you accept your misfortune and handle it right your perceived failure can become a catalyst for profound re-invention.”