Oceanside Comedian Advances On 'America's Got Talent'

OCEANSIDE, CA – "America's Got Talent" kicked off its 2018 season last week with a hilarious performance from Oceanside comedian Vicki Barbolak, whose audition was received with standing ovations by the audience and judges, Howie Mandel and Mel B.

Vicki moved with her parents to Oceanside when she was 19, but like many of us locals, she calls Oceanside her home and several of her comedy bits revolve around the area, like the story she shared with us.

"When I was 19 my dad opened a carpet store in Oceanside on Mission Avenue and it was his first business and he only sold irregular pieces. ... It was the craziest store with hilarious things going on all the time, but you couldn't have it today because of Yelp, they'd of shut um down," Vicki said.

When it came to living near and performing on military bases, Vicki talked about the influence of the Marines in her families lives.

"We always went to Camp Pendleton for the car washes to watch the Marines wash our cars. I taught my girls early on to appreciate the beauty of them, so my daughter Emily fell in love at first site with a Corporal. .... They have been married for 14 years."

While Vicki got a late start to comedy, she took to it immediately. Responding to an ad for a stand-up comedy class when she was 38 years old, Vicki was later mentored by Mitzi Shore, owner of The Comedy Store, and she frequently performs at the La Jolla Comedy Store.

Prior to "America's Got Talent," Vicki spent the last 20 years honing her craft. She has been named a member of Jay Leno's NBC Laugh Squad, Won Funniest Mom In America on "Nick at Nite," and has been featured by E! Television as the Next Breakout Star to come from The Comedy Store.

When she is not doing comedy, Vicki officiates weddings as an ordained minister and offers complete Wedding Chapel to-go packages. Like many great comedians, Vicki's comedy style is full of self-deprecating humor, including making fun of her Southern California trailer park lifestyle.

We caught up with Vicki for a phone interview on Friday and she proved that comedy is in her blood. She
was just as funny in our spontaneous interview as she was on her "America's Got Talent" audition. Give it a listen and judge for yourself.

During our nearly 20-minute interview, Vicki candidly shared her views on turning 60 and performing comedy, or as Vicki put it, "I'm sexty, putting the sexy back in sixty."

She also shared stories from her audition, including bits about her other favorite contestants. "There was a guy that had on the exact same leather dress as I had on, but he was more attractive" quipped Vicki.

Other topics include how to kill time backstage and how special it was to have Howie greet her with a big welcoming hug. "He's such a great stand-up with a huge heart" said Vicki.

Other highlights from our complete interview with Vicki Barbolak include:

Getting to know Vicki... Sexty and lovin it.

Oceanside memories:
Expelled from every junior college
Mom and dad's Mission Avenue carpet store
Daughter's gunny sergeant husband
Performing for the military
Oceanside trailer park living

"America's Got Talent" audition:
Oddball contestants
Vicki's fashion twin
Howie such a great guy
Simon not an ogre
Crafting zen comedy

Wrapping up:
Proud to be from Oceanside
More insights from Vicki coming soon

Listen to the full audio interview with Vicki Barbolak from "America's Got Talent" here: https://soundcloud.com/lisa-fr...

Check out Vicki's website for more about her career as a comedian and professional wedding minister: https://www.vickibarbolakcomed...

Check out Vicki's Facebook page for local photos and posts. Perhaps she'll post her Oceanside Turkey Trot family photos, real soon! https://www.facebook.com/vbarb...

View Vicki's audition on America's Got Talent:

Photo credits:

Image: 182195_1552 - AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Auditions 1" Episode 1301 -- Pictured: Vicki Barbolak -- (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Image: 182196_3269 - AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Contestant Galleries" -- Pictured: Vicki Barbolak -- (Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBC)