Colpo Grosso was a massive ratings success, often drawing over 6 million viewers, but it was also highly controversial. Critics, including feminist groups and Catholic organizations, denounced it as degrading to women and a trivialization of sex on prime-time television. The show pushed the boundaries of what was permissible on Italian public airwaves, leading to fines and threats of cancellation. It is often cited as a key example of the "edonismo reaganiano" (Reagan-era hedonism) and the loosening of social taboos in Italy during the late 1980s.
Created and hosted by Umberto Smaila, a member of the comedy trio Gigi e Andrea, the show was a late-night phenomenon. Its title translates roughly to "Big Hit" or "Great Blow" (as in a heist), a double entendre referring both to a successful move in the game and to sexual innuendo. colpo grosso wikipedia