Finding a sitcom that doesn't feel like it was written by an algorithm is getting harder. You know the vibe. Most shows try too hard to be "important" or "edgy." Then there’s Tacoma FD. It basically just wants to make you laugh until your ribs hurt. Created by the guys behind Super Troopers, Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme, this show leaned heavily into the "workplace family" trope, but with way more silliness and significantly less fire.
The cast of Tacoma FD is the engine under the hood. Without this specific group of weirdos, the show would just be another procedural parody. It’s the chemistry. It’s the way they handle the "calls"—which usually involve stuck animals or weird domestic disputes rather than actual blazes—that made the series a cult favorite before its unfortunate cancellation after season four.
The Dynamic Duo: McConky and Penisi
At the top of the food chain, we have Chief Terry McConky and Captain Eddie Penisi. Kevin Heffernan plays McConky. He’s the stressed-out dad of the station, constantly trying to maintain some semblance of order while being just as immature as the rest of them. Honestly, Heffernan is a master of the "slow-burn" frustration. He’s the guy who just wants a nice office and a little respect, but he usually ends up with a face full of mustard or a ruined uniform.
Then there’s Steve Lemme as Eddie Penisi. If McConky is the "dad," Penisi is the cool, irresponsible uncle who definitely shouldn't be babysitting. He’s arrogant, obsessed with his hair, and frequently the architect of the station's most elaborate pranks.
- Kevin Heffernan (Chief Terry McConky): The Broken Lizard veteran who also directed many of the show's episodes.
- Steve Lemme (Captain Eddie Penisi): The high-energy foil to Terry, known for his relentless confidence and questionable decision-making.
The fact that these two have been working together for decades in the Broken Lizard comedy troupe shows. Their timing is telepathic. You can't fake that kind of rhythm.
The Heart of the Station: Granny, Ike, and Lucy
You can't have a firehouse without the crew that actually does the heavy lifting (or the heavy loafing). This is where the cast of Tacoma FD really shines.
Marcus Henderson plays Granville "Granny" Smith. He’s the medic. You might recognize Henderson from much darker roles—he was terrifying as Walter the groundskeeper in Get Out. In Tacoma FD, he gets to show off his comedy chops. Granny is often the voice of reason, but he’s also prone to intense bursts of competitiveness. He’s arguably the most "competent" member of the A-Shift, though that’s a very low bar.
Gabriel Hogan as Ike Crystal
Ike is the lovable, dim-witted rig engineer. Gabriel Hogan, a Canadian actor known for Heartland, plays him with a sort of wide-eyed innocence that makes his bizarre side-hustles even funnier. Did you know Ike is a part-time stripper? Yeah. It’s a recurring gag that never really gets old because Hogan commits to the bit so hard.
Hassie Harrison as Lucy McConky
Lucy is Terry’s daughter and the first female firefighter at the station. Hassie Harrison joined the show and immediately fit in. She’s not just "the girl" on the team; she’s often the one winning the pranks. Lucy has a "one of the guys" energy that feels authentic rather than forced. Recently, Harrison has been all over the news for her role in Yellowstone and her real-life marriage to co-star Ryan Bingham, but for fans of the firehouse, she’ll always be the "Probie" who outpaced her dad.
The Big Season 4 Shake-up: What Happened to Andy?
If you watched the first three seasons, you know Andy Myawani was a core part of the group. Played by Eugene Cordero, Andy was the quirky, often-bullied heart of the station. His friendship with Ike was the stuff of legend.
Then Season 4 hit.
Andy was gone. The show explained it away by saying he went to work at his uncle's carpet company. In reality, Eugene Cordero’s career exploded. He became a series regular on the Disney+ Marvel series Loki (playing Casey/Hunter K-5E) and had a lead voice role in Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Basically, he got too busy to stay in Tacoma.
To fill the void, the show brought in Christopher Avila as the new rookie, Andres "Mickleberry" Mickleberry. Avila had the impossible task of replacing a fan favorite. He played the "new guy" role well—clumsy, eager to please, and the constant target of Penisi’s bullying. It changed the dynamic, making the station feel a little more like a revolving door, which is actually pretty realistic for a workplace.
The Recurring Weirdos
The world of Tacoma FD extends beyond the A-Shift. The show made great use of recurring characters to flesh out the city.
- Joe Pantoliano as Eddie Penisi Sr.: Having a Hollywood legend like "Joey Pants" (from The Sopranos and The Matrix) play Eddie’s dad was a stroke of genius. He’s the Fire Commissioner and a constant source of anxiety for McConky.
- Suzy Nakamura as Linda Price: As the city councilwoman, she was the perfect bureaucratic antagonist.
- Heather Mazur as Vicky: Terry’s wife and Eddie’s sister. She’s the bridge between the two leads and often the only person who can actually scare them.
- Paul Soter as Wolf Boykins: Another Broken Lizard alum who popped in to add some extra chaos.
Why the Chemistry Mattered
Comedy is hard. Workplace comedy is even harder because you have to make the audience believe these people would actually spend 24 hours a day together without committing a crime.
The cast of Tacoma FD worked because they didn't over-explain the jokes. They leaned into physical comedy—slapstick, gross-out humor, and elaborate stunts. It felt like a throwback to the 90s, but with better production values.
The show was cancelled in early 2024, which left fans pretty devastated. There wasn't some huge drop in quality; it was more about the changing landscape of cable TV and corporate restructuring at Warner Bros. Discovery. But even though there won't be a Season 5, the 49 episodes we got are infinitely rewatchable.
If you're looking to dive back into the world of Station 24, the best way is to watch the episodes chronologically to see the evolution of the characters—especially Lucy's transition from "probie" to a seasoned member of the crew. You can find the series streaming on platforms like Max or Netflix, depending on your region. Pay close attention to the background of the station scenes; the production team packed the sets with inside jokes and "Broken Lizard" easter eggs that are easy to miss the first time around.
Getting to know the actors' other work, like Marcus Henderson’s dramatic turns or Eugene Cordero’s voice acting, actually makes the show funnier. It highlights just how much talent was packed into that small Tacoma firehouse.
To get the most out of your rewatch, look for the "Talkoma FD" aftershow clips. They offer a behind-the-scenes look at the cast's real-life friendships, which, honestly, aren't that different from their on-screen counterparts.