The Briefcase: Season 1

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Generally unfavorable reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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2.0	User Score Generally unfavorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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The Briefcase: Most People

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Season Details & Credits

CBS | Season Premiere Date: May 27, 2015

Summary: Two families in need are each given a briefcase that contains $101,000 and are given 72 hours to make a decision to keep it all or give some to another family.

Creator: Dave Broome

Genre(s): Reality

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E5. Moyas/Vendely-Salgados
Air Date: June 19, 2015
tbd
S1:E5. Owens/Aponte-Kassimatis
Air Date: June 24, 2015
tbd
S1:E5. Owens/Aponte-Kassimatis
Air Date: June 24, 2015

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Vicki Hyman

May 28, 2015

"The value of what's in the briefcase might not be in the money." That's what creator Dave Broome, the man behind "The Biggest Loser," clearly wants us to ponder, but The Briefcase also preys upon our judgmental side as we watch the couples attempt to justify keeping all the money. Read full review

Rob Owen

May 26, 2015

Each of the three opportunities to deposit or keep the money is preceded by a financial discussion between each couple, which usually reveals one person to be more giving and the other to be more concerned with No. 1. These getting repetitive and boring fast. Read full review

Emily VanDerWerff

May 28, 2015

The Briefcase features a truly terrible idea at its center, but what's almost worse than that is how dull and repetitive it gets almost immediately. Read full review

Margaret Lyons

May 27, 2015

We're exploiting [the struggle of the poor] a lot. The Briefcase does it in a clear and methodical way.... The Briefcase plays into this class anxiety by setting up the classic American pastime of figuring out in what ways these people are being poor wrong. Read full review

Ken Tucker

May 28, 2015

One of the more cynical and repulsive of new reality shows--and that’s saying something, I know--The Briefcase is all the more reprehensible for passing off its exploitation of people in beleaguered financial straits as uplifting, inspirational TV. Read full review

User Score

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User Reviews

Knighthawk81

May 28, 2015

This is an interesting concept. You get $100,000 in a briefcase and have three days to decide whether to keep it or share it with another family. I thought the process was sort of fascinating, but I don't know how many episodes of this I would want to watch. Additionally, this feels like theThis is an interesting concept. You get $100,000 in a briefcase and have three days to decide whether to keep it or share it with another family. I thought the process was sort of fascinating, but I don't know how many episodes of this I would want to watch. Additionally, this feels like the kind of show that, once it's aired, can never be repeated because the gag (both families got money and the choice) is out of the bag. I was fascinated by the pilot, but I don't see how this is a show, exactly.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

DakotaFred

Jun 6, 2015

Meh.. it's just a time waster of a show really. Interesting concept, poorly executed.

I am surprised no one has kept it all or even a 50/50 split yet... that seems to be a more likely, "realistic" outcome. The one big flaw in this show is the text message telling the couple they'll beMeh.. it's just a time waster of a show really. Interesting concept, poorly executed.

I am surprised no one has kept it all or even a 50/50 split yet... that seems to be a more likely, "realistic" outcome. The one big flaw in this show is the text message telling the couple they'll be meeting the other couple to hand over the final amount - of course they're going to give SOMETHING when face to face and on TV... they should decide the final amount PRIOR to knowing about the final meet!!! Then we'd have a little more honest "reality" in the whole scenario.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

30Cents

Jun 17, 2015

Watching "The Briefcase" feels like sitting on pins and needle, the longer you stay. the more pain you endure.

"The Briefcase" is the new reality show that aired on May 27th, 2015. Each episode is about two families who are given $101,000, they have the choice to keep all of it, shareWatching "The Briefcase" feels like sitting on pins and needle, the longer you stay. the more pain you endure.

"The Briefcase" is the new reality show that aired on May 27th, 2015. Each episode is about two families who are given $101,000, they have the choice to keep all of it, share some, or give it all away to another family who is in need more than them. Obviously the families have a short story to share with all of us why they need the money so badly. Then we sit through 30 minutes of pointless arguing and temptation of the two families decision what they should do with the money. At the end of the show the two families meet in person and discuss both of their decisions, the families say their final answer and are given whatever they decided to have.

The concept of the show is a good idea, but it comes out all wrong and turns into a tedious one hour drama-fest. I understand that these families need money, but there are other families in need that need it way more than most of these people who appear on this disaster of a ride. This show looks more like a way to take advantage of the poverty than to entertain, it is very negative to anyone who is really in need of money.

I hated The Briefcase, I hated it so much that I feel bad for anyone else who watches this and are in need of money. The more episodes CBS airs, the more controversy it will cause, there are even petitions to cancel this show. The CEO of CBS Dave Broome stated on Entertainment Weekly: "It’s more about coming together in your life, in your marriage, or finding this bond with another family who has a different lifestyle.” and no, this does not describe this show, the proper statement would be: "It's more about exploiting the poor and entertaining the rich."… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dyshpo

May 28, 2015

Pointless endeavor brought to the viewer only because it's summer and nothing passable is available to fill the time slot. Only 100,000 in a case really that has very little conflict to drive audience interest. This show is only on the air for summer thankfully.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

ultrachrome

Jun 4, 2015

This show is disgusting. Absolute poverty porn. As another reviewer suggests, CBS should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. How about a show where they fire the CBS executive that came up with this deplorable idea, empty their bank account and follow him/her as they become destitute.This show is disgusting. Absolute poverty porn. As another reviewer suggests, CBS should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. How about a show where they fire the CBS executive that came up with this deplorable idea, empty their bank account and follow him/her as they become destitute. That's a show I might watch.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Bgrod

May 29, 2015

Vile exploitation reality television. CBS might have just aired the most repulsive reality series in history with The Briefcase. So, I get to sit in my comfortable easy chair counting my respectable bank account and admiring all my possessions while I pass judgment on people in financialVile exploitation reality television. CBS might have just aired the most repulsive reality series in history with The Briefcase. So, I get to sit in my comfortable easy chair counting my respectable bank account and admiring all my possessions while I pass judgment on people in financial distress, whether their own doing or as a result of The Great Recession and housing meltdown. No thank you. The entire first episode made me sick. Shame, shame, shame on CBS… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

Seasons & Episodes

27

Series Overview
Season 1

27
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: May 27, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E5. Moyas/Vendely-Salgados
  Air Date: June 19, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E5. Owens/Aponte-Kassimatis
  Air Date: June 24, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E5. Owens/Aponte-Kassimatis
  Air Date: June 24, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E4. Matas/Melansons
  Air Date: June 17, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E3. Wylies/Bailey-Stewarts
  Air Date: June 10, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E2. Scotts/Musolinos
  Air Date: June 3, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E1. Bronsons/Bergins
  Air Date: May 27, 2015