The Briefcase

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: May 27, 2015
Metascore
27

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 3 out of 5
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Critic Reviews

  1. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    May 28, 2015
    58
    "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.
  2. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    May 26, 2015
    40
    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.
  3. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    May 28, 2015
    20
    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.
  5. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    May 28, 2015
    10
    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.
  6. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Margaret Lyons
    May 27, 2015
    10
    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.

User Reviews

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User Score
2.0

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 9 out of 12
  1. Bgrod
    May 29, 2015
    0
    Vile exploitation reality television. CBS might have just aired the most repulsive reality series in history with The Briefcase. So, I getVile 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… Full Review »
  2. Knighthawk81
    May 28, 2015
    6
    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 anotherThis 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.… Full Review »
  3. DakotaFred
    Jun 6, 2015
    5
    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    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 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.    … Full Review »
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