For twelve seasons, the men and women of Firehouse 51 on NBC’s Chicago Fire have commanded our attention with high-octane rescues, gut-wrenching drama, and intense emotional storylines. From the steely resolve of Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) to the gruff, often sentimental wisdom of Captain Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg), the characters are the epitome of professionalism under pressure.
But when the fire is out and the cameras stop rolling, the cast often gives fans a glimpse into the genuine camaraderie that fuels the show’s success. No recent moment has encapsulated this playful, generational dynamic better than the now-viral video of Taylor Kinney and David Eigenberg attempting—and spectacularly failing—to execute a TikTok trend.
The short clip, which quickly circulated across social media platforms, was a delightful burst of unscripted humor that shattered the stoic image of their characters. It wasn’t a professional dance or a perfectly choreographed skit; it was a simple, awkward, and thoroughly endearing “TikTok fail” that highlighted the unique and enduring bromance between the two actors, reaffirming why the One Chicago fandom is so deeply invested in the Firehouse 51 family.
🎬 The Anatomy of the TikTok Fail
The incident occurred as the cast, like many television ensembles, decided to engage with the world of viral social media to connect with their massive, cross-generational fanbase.
The Setup: A Simple Trend
The video, reportedly filmed behind the scenes during a break in shooting, was an attempt at a simple, rhythmic transition or a brief, synchronized dance popular on the platform. The attempt itself was clearly driven by the younger cast members, likely roping in the veterans for a moment of levity.
David Eigenberg, whose character Herrmann is known for being a traditional, working-class Chicagoan who often grumbles about modern technology, started the clip with a hilariously exaggerated, almost dad-like intensity. His movements were reportedly clunky, mistimed, and delivered with a confused expression that was pure Christopher Herrmann.
The Breakdown: Kinney’s Reaction
The magic, however, lay in Taylor Kinney’s response. Kinney, usually embodying the effortlessly cool, rugged charisma of Kelly Severide, was supposed to seamlessly transition or mirror Eigenberg’s move. Instead, the video captured the exact moment Kinney realized the attempt was going terribly wrong.
His response wasn’t scripted anger or frustration; it was a burst of genuine, uncontrolled laughter. He reportedly threw his head back, unable to maintain his composure, breaking the performance entirely. The clip instantly cut out, capturing the pure, infectious joy of the moment. It wasn’t a blooper of a forgotten line, but a blooper of a social media trend.
🎭 The Perfect Retort to the Serious Drama
The beauty of the “fail” is how perfectly it contrasts with the heavy material the two actors perform weekly. Chicago Fire often deals with life-and-death stakes, which requires the actors to maintain a constant level of emotional seriousness.
Severide vs. Herrmann Dynamic
The real-life dynamic mirrors the enduring, complex relationship between their characters:
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Severide (Kinney): The handsome, often silent, and expertly skilled Lieutenant of Squad 3. He’s the cool guy.
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Herrmann (Eigenberg): The hardworking, loud, family-man Captain of Engine 51. He’s the grumpy but lovable heart of the house.
Seeing the usually guarded Kinney dissolve into laughter, completely broken by Eigenberg’s awkwardness, provided the perfect, relatable, humanizing moment. It reminded fans that beneath the heavy fire gear and the traumatic calls, they are two actors with a shared, comfortable friendship. This genuine chemistry is precisely what makes the Chicago Fire ensemble—and the broader One Chicago universe—feel like a believable family.
💖 Why the Fans Go Wild for “Fails”
In the world of television fandom, blooper reels and behind-the-scenes moments are often as valuable as the episodes themselves. The Kinney/Eigenberg TikTok fail quickly went viral for several reasons that deeply resonate with the audience.
Relatability Over Perfection
Unlike carefully staged celebrity content, this “fail” felt organic and unpolished. It didn’t try to sell a perfect image; it showed two talented professionals who are hilariously out of their depth trying to follow a youth trend. This relatability is a golden ticket in the social media sphere. Fans don’t want to see Kelly Severide nail a dance routine; they want to see Taylor Kinney break character and act like a normal person whose co-worker just did something ridiculous.
Fueling the Fan Discourse
The clip immediately sparked massive engagement across TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram:
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Memes and Gifs: Kinney’s reaction face and Eigenberg’s misplaced enthusiasm were instantly turned into reaction GIFs and memes, ensuring the video’s reach extended far beyond the show’s core fanbase.
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Affectionate Teasing: Fandom commentary revolved around the affectionate teasing inherent in the moment. It was seen as the purest expression of the Firehouse 51 family—a place where you can be both a life-saving hero and a ridiculous goofball.
The Power of the Unexpected
For an established, long-running procedural like Chicago Fire, finding fresh ways to engage the audience is key. The unexpected nature of two older, respected actors attempting a fleeting youth trend provided that novelty. It demonstrated that the cast is willing to poke fun at themselves and embrace the less-than-glamorous reality of trying to be “hip” for social media.
🚀 The Continued Success of the One Chicago Franchise
The viral success of a simple TikTok fail underscores the fundamental strength of the Chicago Fire brand: its cast chemistry and loyal fanbase.
The One Chicago shows (Fire, P.D., and Med) have thrived for over a decade because the ensemble casts genuinely function as tightly knit groups, both on and off-screen. Moments like this TikTok fail offer concrete proof of the relationships that make the on-screen drama so believable. When we see the anguish on Kidd’s face over Severide’s fate, or the pride in Herrmann’s eyes for his crew, we believe it because we know the actors behind the badges share a deep, lasting bond.
In a competitive television landscape, this genuine backstage connection is an invaluable asset. It keeps the energy fresh, the humor flowing, and the audience invested not just in the plot, but in the people.
🔑 Conclusion: A Gift to the Fandom
The viral TikTok “fail” featuring Taylor Kinney and David Eigenberg attempting to navigate the world of youth social media trends is far more than just a funny blooper. It is a perfect, unscripted moment of vulnerability and genuine connection between two actors who form the essential backbone of Chicago Fire.
By showing us the human, goofy side of the usually intense Severide and Herrmann, Kinney and Eigenberg gave their loyal fans a priceless gift: a peek behind the curtain that confirms the electric, supportive chemistry of Firehouse 51 is absolutely real. The clip will undoubtedly be a perennial favorite in future blooper reels, proving once again that sometimes, the funniest moments are the ones that are unplanned, unpolished, and completely failed. The sirens may sound serious on TV, but off-duty, Taylor Kinney and David Eigenberg know how to bring the house down with laughter.
