Portobello was one of the most popular TV program of the italian television. It was broadcasted on RAI 2 channel from 1977 to 1983 (and for a short period also in 1987) and it was hosted by Enzo Tortora, a popular italian TV host and anchorman on national RAI television, who was falsely accused of being a member of the Camorra and drug trafficking. He became an icon of injustice and a reminder of one of the gravest miscarriages of justice of the Italian judiciary system.
The name of the program was ispired by the famous Portobello Road, a street in the Notting Hill district of London famous for its market, known for its second-hand clothes and antiques.
The program was based on the idea of a market where the participants could sell or try to find objects, ideas or other things and the public at home could call them during the live broadcast.
Official guest was a parrot that had the same name of the program, and one of the part of the program was to let one of the guests try to make the parrot say his own name “Portobello”. The only time it succeded was in 1982 thanks to the actress Paola Borboni that wanted the money offered as a prize to help a child burned on the face.
link: Rai Educational "La storia siamo noi"
The name of the program was ispired by the famous Portobello Road, a street in the Notting Hill district of London famous for its market, known for its second-hand clothes and antiques.
The program was based on the idea of a market where the participants could sell or try to find objects, ideas or other things and the public at home could call them during the live broadcast.
Official guest was a parrot that had the same name of the program, and one of the part of the program was to let one of the guests try to make the parrot say his own name “Portobello”. The only time it succeded was in 1982 thanks to the actress Paola Borboni that wanted the money offered as a prize to help a child burned on the face.
link: Rai Educational "La storia siamo noi"
Portobello theme song.
Portobello theme song.
The parrot Portobello finally said his own name (1982).
Enzo Tortora and Portobello the parrot.
Portobello the parrot.
Enzo Tortora and Portobello the parrot.
