The Briefcase

2015
The Briefcase

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 Bronsons/Bergins May 27, 2015

Emotions run high when the Bergin Family from Matthews, N.C. and the Bronson Family from Manchester, N.H. are presented with a life-changing amount of money and a huge decision – to keep, give or share it with the other family. Initially, they think their choice will be straightforward, but after learning about each other lives, they realize it is much more complicated.

EP2 Scotts/Musolinos Jun 03, 2015

When presented with a large sum of money and a life-changing decision, the Scott family from Mechanicsville, Maryland struggles with the choice of keeping the money to ensure they have the funds needed to adopt a child, or helping the Musolinos. The Musolino family from Fuqua Varina, N.C. spends most of the year in different states due to John’s fishing job. They see this an opportunity to secure their children’s future and bring the family together, but also wants to help the Scotts realize their dream of becoming parents.

EP3 Wylies/Bailey-Stewarts Jun 10, 2015

Both the Wylie and Bailey-Stewart families share a strong belief in community service and charity when they are faced with the same decision of whether to plan for their own future or help the other family.

EP4 Matas/Melansons Jun 17, 2015

The Matas from Boyle Heights, Calif. and the Melansons from Hingham, Mass. face a difficult decision when they see similarities within each other's families and must decide whether to invest the money in their own children and homes or share with the other family.

EP5 Owens/Aponte-Kassimatis Jun 24, 2015

A couple with huge student loans and two kids discover secrets about each other's finances at the same time, a family of five from New Jersey face losing their home, which was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy after they had invested time and money in its renovation.

EP6 Moyas/Vendely-Salgado Jun 26, 2015

The Moyas and the Vendely-Salgados face the decision of planning for their own family's future or sharing the money, even though they have very different views and lifestyles.
3.5| 0h30m| TV-PG| en| More Info
Released: 27 May 2015 Canceled
Producted By: 25/7 Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.cbs.com/shows/the-briefcase/
Synopsis

THE BRIEFCASE features hard-working American families experiencing financial setbacks who are presented with a briefcase containing a large sum of money and a potentially life-altering decision: they can keep all of the money for themselves, or give all or part of it to another family in need.

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25/7 Productions

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Reviews

p_bubblegum How this was pitched in the first place, no idea. How this was then agreed upon by a network panel is even more beyond belief. How it has made it even onto National TV network is a disgraced. There are surely ethical or moral infringements this 'show' is making. Emotionally torturing families and individuals who have already gone through their own personal hell and grief, that they decide to broadcast further inflictions onto the 'contestants' and make them feel guilty for what seemed like a generous gift. Fills me with disgust this type of show was considered in the first place - a show where you pin the grief & financial stricken families against each other. Its not generous, its sick amusement!
dabishette this is suppose to be struggling families?! Having in-vitro does not constitute struggling! I am struggling with losing my husband and my house within 4 years! ill be homeless within 3 months! and there are far more struggling than these people! why not pick the people who really need it for survival and not for pregnancy or college! I will not watch this program again i'll say that! I know I would keep less than half and give away the rest! if i even keep that much! I will watch this one episode to see just how it ends, but from the start...forget it! it should be more realistic with who is struggling! I can't see in-vitro being a struggle...that's their choice... they cant afford it oh well...they still have a roof over their head and food on their table! why not give it to more deserving people?
Yogan Wayra Zadronzny Barrientos I was a skeptic at first. My friends were telling me of this show, and I thought right away (SPOILER) that I would keep the money. After watching the show, I could see how/why the person's would choose (SPOILER) to give the money away. So I would say that Morality Reality TV is something rare. And the particular context that this show opens is compelling. What I see is the most valuable point about the show is that it provides participants (and viewers) the opportunity to the live up to their integrity. I suggest others to watch it. It provided a window for self-reflection on how I would act and be in a similar situation as these persons.
RaffaSil American family that owns big multinational corporation, experiencing massive liquidity problem and is about to default is given a briefcase with $101 million . But there is a twist and potentially life-changing decision for them to make. They can keep all of the money or give $ 100 million to another family that owns indebted multinational corporation and is experiencing the same financial disaster. Would the first family give away the money ( or some of the money) and let their company's stocks dive down in the stock exchange, as they find out that what really matters in life are values such as love, generosity and faith. Oops, sorry I think I got this wrong. The show is actually about hard working American families that are presented with the same dilemma. The only difference is that ( proportionally) they are given $ 101 000 and that their apparent poverty is called " financial setback " . Let's be honest, is hilarious to be poor. This TV show essentially sends a message that you will be forgiven for being poor on condition that you place utmost importance on values like "altruism, generosity and faith". But if you read it as a part of the vast fabric of Reality TV shows, if you place it next to the " Apprentice " -which deals with middle class ( or well off) people- that applauds fierce ambition and competitiveness , you will notice the twisted social narrative of our world.The show tried to push the idea of the importance of autism , which is absolutely fine. But the premise they chose is totally wrong. If they would have done the show with contestants from different social class ( yes, class ) probably it would've worked.But watching poor, hard working families mocked like this, makes me feel like a spectator in the Roman Coliseum staring at bunch of slaves- that are forced to fight each other- and speculate as to should they spare the life of their opponent ( and give up their own ) in the name of selflessness and love.And I thought Reality Television couldn't get worst.