In the high-stakes, dramatic world of NBC’s Chicago Fire, Lieutenants Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Christopher Hermann (David Eigenberg) are known for their unwavering commitment to duty, their intense rescue skills, and their stoic professionalism. Severide is the brooding, motorcycle-riding squad leader; Hermann is the passionate, veteran family man. But off-screen, a recent, hilariously botched attempt at a viral social media trend revealed a side of the actors that fans rarely see—and they absolutely loved it.
A short clip, initially shared and then rapidly spread across platforms, captured Taylor Kinney and David Eigenberg’s spectacularly charming “TikTok Fail.” The video was an attempt at a simple, fast-paced transition challenge, but the resulting blooper reel was pure, unscripted gold. It proved that even the most seasoned dramatic actors can be utterly defeated by a 15-second choreography, much to the delight of the Chicago Fire community, who saw a rare, genuine moment of levity from the often-serious stars.
The clip’s immediate and viral success underscores a growing trend in television fandom: the desire for authentic, unpolished behind-the-scenes content that humanizes the beloved characters and the actors who play them.
🎬 The Anatomy of the Fail: What Happened on Set
The video, which appeared to be filmed during a break on the Firehouse 51 set, showcased the two actors trying to participate in a common TikTok “change challenge”—a rapid cut where the actors switch outfits, props, or positions seamlessly.
The Setup and the Flub
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The Challenge: The duo, possibly encouraged by a younger cast member or crew member, attempted the classic “Look Away, Look Back” challenge, which relies on precise timing and quick movements to achieve a magical-seeming transition.
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Kinney’s Misstep: The clip starts normally, but the failure begins with Taylor Kinney. Known for his smooth on-screen action, Kinney couldn’t quite nail the transition cue. He was either too early, too late, or simply missed the timing, resulting in a clumsy, half-completed turn while still wearing his original uniform, completely ruining the illusion.
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Eigenberg’s Reaction: The real comedic payoff came from David Eigenberg. Seeing Kinney’s uncoordinated flub, Eigenberg couldn’t maintain his composure. He broke character entirely, bursting into a loud, infectious cackle that was genuine and utterly relatable. He then threw his hands up in mock surrender, essentially declaring the attempt a total loss.
The Charm of the Unrehearsed
The clip was ultimately a blooper reel disguised as a TikTok attempt. The best part for fans was the authenticity:
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No Filters, Just Fun: The video was clearly unrehearsed, raw, and unapologetic about the mistake. It wasn’t about perfecting the content; it was about the attempt.
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The “Hermann” Laugh: Eigenberg’s genuine, hearty laughter sounded exactly like something his character, Hermann, would do—a loud, slightly gruff expression of total amusement. This blend of the actor and the character delighted the long-time viewers.
📈 The Fan Response: Demanding More Authenticity
The TikTok fail didn’t just get views; it triggered a wave of positive engagement and conversation across social media platforms.
The Thirst for Off-Duty Content
The overwhelming response highlighted the fan community’s hunger for glimpses of the actors outside of their intense, dramatic roles.
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Humanizing the Heroes: Viewers of the One Chicago franchise often immerse themselves in the high-stakes world of the shows. Seeing actors like Kinney, who often portrays the aloof and guarded Severide, stumble and laugh over a silly dance challenge humanizes the character and breaks the fourth wall in a positive way.
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“We Need a Blooper Reel Show!”: Thousands of comments poured in, demanding that the actors create an official, ongoing “Firehouse 51 TikTok Blooper Reel” series. This suggests that the lighthearted, authentic content is just as valuable to the fanbase as the serious episodic drama.
Boosting Fan Morale
The timing of the video’s viral spread was also beneficial. Chicago Fire often features heavy, dramatic storylines—life-and-death rescues, personal trauma, and political conflicts. The TikTok fail provided a much-needed dose of levity and relief for a fanbase that invests significant emotional energy in the characters’ ongoing struggles. It was a reminder that behind the intense drama, there is still fun and friendship on the set.
🤝 The Power of the Partnership: Kinney and Eigenberg
The success of the clip also rests on the established, contrasting professional relationship between the two actors, Taylor Kinney and David Eigenberg.
The Severide/Hermann Dynamic
On the show, Severide and Hermann represent two different eras and approaches to firefighting:
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Severide (Kinney): The naturally gifted, often rebellious squad leader who relies on intuition.
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Hermann (Eigenberg): The hard-working, veteran lieutenant who relies on experience and rules, often acting as the voice of the old guard.
Seeing this professional contrast dissolve into genuine, unscripted camaraderie reinforced the family atmosphere of Firehouse 51. The contrast—Kinney’s effortless cool vs. Eigenberg’s hearty humor—is the perfect comedic pairing, proving their off-screen friendship is just as vital as their on-screen teamwork.
The Franchise’s Social Media Strategy
The accidental success of this clip provides a valuable lesson for the Chicago Fire and wider One Chicago franchise:
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Authenticity Wins: Fans respond more strongly to raw, genuine moments of actor camaraderie than they do to overly polished, professional promotional content.
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Leveraging Actor Personality: The show can greatly benefit from encouraging its veteran, often serious-minded stars to showcase their personal humor and behind-the-scenes interactions. This provides excellent social media fodder and strengthens the connection between the actors and the audience.
🔑 Conclusion: The Perfect Blooper
The viral success of Taylor Kinney and David Eigenberg’s Chicago Fire TikTok Fail is a delightful testament to the enduring chemistry of the cast and the fan community’s desire for authenticity. The unscripted moment of comedy—Kinney’s clumsy flub followed by Eigenberg’s explosive laughter—humanized the often-stoic heroes of Firehouse 51.
This charming blunder provides a much-needed breath of fresh air amidst the show’s high drama, proving that sometimes, the biggest hits on social media are the moments that don’t go according to plan. Fans may tune in every week for the intense rescues, but they are staying engaged online for the genuine, laugh-out-loud camaraderie of the actors behind the badges.
