Jaci Terjeson says “No” to some stuff!
Jaci Terjeson is an up-and-coming comedian from Seattle whose sharp wit and physical comedy have solidified her as a force to be reckoned with. She was handpicked by SNL’s Tim Meadows for his show, ‘Comedy Caucus’, and opens for him regularly. Jaci was a standout and top finalist in the prestigious Seattle International Comedy Competition, where she placed every night of the competition. She was also a top finalist in Nate Jackson’s Funniest MF contest, where she received multiple perfect scores. She’s been a selected performer at Bumbershoot, Treefort Festival, Upper Left Comedy Fest, and more. Jaci has a podcast called, ‘The Manic World of Jaci Terj’ and was featured as “Comic of the Week” on the Jackie and Laurie Show.
What were you like as a teen?
I was the comedic relief in any situation I was in and I obsessed with any way I could perform in front of an audience. I loved acting in musicals and plays and was a part of the show choir. I was also deeply in love with Saturday Night Live and would write sketches and perform them at school assemblies. I had no thought in my mind that being a comedian could be a real job, but I knew I wanted to perform!
Did you have an un-sexy starter job?
I have a ton of material from my years as a stay-at-home mom. Can’t get more unsexy than spit up!
What do you consider your biggest comedy achievement?
That’s a two parter. And I love this question because building a comedy career in 2026 means you never slow down and actually enjoy your achievements–you’re too busy editing reels! One of my favorite comedy achievements is any time I get to open for Tim Meadows. I’ve looked up to him since I first started watching SNL, so it’s always a real ‘pinch me’ moment. My other one is being selected to perform on Nate Jackson’s first season of Super Funny Comedy Jam. (Not yet released!) Getting invited to perform on something that has legendary talent on the lineup blew my mind. I mean, these comedians have been headliners crushing rooms all over the country for 20 years! Why am I here?! Another ‘pinch me’ moment!
When you were coming up in comedy, what helped you stick with it?
I loved the art form. I obsessed over the formulas of joke writing, watching specials, and trying to answer, “Why are they laughing?”. When I first started standup and would watch people absolutely murder, I would be soooo inspired!! I felt like standup was a puzzle to be solved and I felt confident that I could solve it, so I wanted to see if that was true. Standup is one of those things that really takes time and hard work to get really good at, so the fact that I wasn’t amazing right away was incredibly annoying to me. So maybe a little spite? Lol. Also, I also loved the feeling of a joke landing. The rush of it definitely kept me coming back.
Have you ever dealt with trolls?
Definitely! It’s inevitable that you will run into that if you choose a job where you constantly share your opinion. Hecklers during a live show…I try to come at it with curiosity. Standup is an observational sport, and here someone’s giving me the gift (even if it’s backhanded) of having something to observe in real time. Not only is that fun for me, it creates a shared experience with the audience, which I love. I try to stay present and keep it light, funny and move on when the moment is done. Trolls on the internet… HATE IT! They are not worth my time or energy so I usually end up deleting their comments and moving on with my life. Comics should have a thick skin and know you can’t take it personally. Step away from the noise, into your real life, and remember the people who love you.
On your deathbed, what transcendent advice would you croak at a young comedian?
TAKE UP SPACE. Take it! People don’t always want to give space to an up and coming female or Enby comic. They don’t want you to move up, they want you to stay a host forever and not make waves. Work hard, be ready, and make yourself known. The archaic patriarchal culture of comedy wants to keep our voices quiet. You can’t let them. Out work them. Get funnier than them. The world needs your voice and your story!
Best comedy advice you ever got?
Get so funny that they have to book you.
Worst comedy advice you ever got?
“Say yes to everything.” There’s a difference between having a great work ethic and working yourself to death. Sometimes it’s ok to say “no” to the gig that’s 6 hours away, pays $10 for 5 minutes, and has 3 audience members. That show will not make or break you.
How has being funny helped you in your life?
Yes! I got out of a ton of tickets by cracking jokes!! Just kidding, kind of. Humor has helped me connect with people and find the bright side of things! It’s been a life saver!
What specific things should a novice comic do to shape their voice?
Look up joke structures and print them out. When you’re writing about a topic, try to write a joke in every single format; one with rule of threes, one misdirection, etc. You may not use any of them, but you’ll start to be able to find the joke easier and it will become more second nature.
Do you have a writing routine?
I don’t have a writing routine. I used to, when I started. I’m glad I was more strict about it at the beginning because it really taught me a lot. Now, I usually jot down an idea and try it at a show. If it works, I keep expanding on it until it grows into a full-grown joke. It’s a very fluid process.
