The show debuted on Rai 2 on 27 May 1977.[1] The structure of the show revolved around various segments, the most notable of them being the presentation of new inventions, with inventors promoting and selling their patents.[2] Other segments included Fiori d'arancio, a dating segment where lonely hearts met in search of a soulmate that was an early forerunner of Canale 5 programs such as Agenzia matrimoniale and Uomini e donne, and Dove sei?, a segment about missing persons that anticipated the Rai 3 long-running show Chi l'ha visto?.[2]
Portobello was a massive success, with an audience reaching 25 million viewers.[2] It was suddenly interrupted because of Tortora's conviction for drug trafficking and for being a member of the Camorra; following his full acquittal, it was reprised for a final season in 1987.[2][3] In 2018, the show was remade in a retouched version hosted by Antonella Clerici; this version, broadcast on Saturday nights on Rai 1, was both a critical and audience failure.[4][5]