The Briefcase

This article is about the American TV program. For the Australian TV program, see The Briefcase (Australian TV program). For other uses, see Briefcase (disambiguation).
The Briefcase
GenreReality
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6 (list of episodes)
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Production
Executive producersDave Broome
Faye Stapleton
Running time44 minutes
Production companies25-7 Productions
Sony Pictures Television
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseMay 27 (2015-05-27) –
June 26, 2015 (2015-06-26)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

The Briefcase is an American reality television program created by Dave Broome that premiered on CBS on May 27, 2015.[1][2] In each episode, two American families undergoing financial hardship are each given a briefcase containing $101,000, and must decide whether to keep all the money for themselves or give some or all of it to the other family. Over the course of 72 hours, each family learns about the other and makes the decision, without knowing that the other family has been given a briefcase as well, with the same instructions.[3][4][5] On December 9, 2015, the show was cancelled.[6]

Reception of The Briefcase has been largely negative.[7] Ken Tucker, critic-at-large of Yahoo! TV, described it as "cynical and repulsive" for "passing off its exploitation...as uplifting, inspirational TV."[8] Jason Miller of Time.com called it "the worst reality TV show ever".[9] Others compared the show to fictional film and television that pitted the needy against each other, such as the Twilight Zone episode "Button, Button", or The Hunger Games.[3]

Executive producer David Broome responded that critics were misrepresenting the show. "Some of the reports are factually incorrect to the point of irresponsible journalism," he said.[10]

  1. ^ Williams, Mary Elizabeth (28 May 2015). "How the altruism porn of "The Briefcase" highlights America's twisted relationship with its poor". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  2. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (April 28, 2015). "'The Biggest Loser' Creator Brings New Reality Show 'The Briefcase' to CBS". Variety. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  3. ^ a b Holloway, Kali (30 May 2015). "The Hunger Games: New CBS reality show exploits poor families by making them grovel for $101,000". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  4. ^ "The Biggest Loser creator pits poor families against one another for briefcase full of cash". news.com.au. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (28 April 2015). "CBS Sets 'The Briefcase' Reality Series From 'The Biggest Loser' Creator". Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  6. ^ "The Briefcase: CBS Reality Show Cancelled; No Season Two". TV Series Finale. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  7. ^ VanDerWerff, Emily (May 28, 2015). "The new reality show The Briefcase pits the debt-ridden against each other. No. Really". Vox. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  8. ^ Tucker, Ken (27 May 2015). "'The Briefcase': Cynical, Condescending Help for the Needy". Yahoo!. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  9. ^ Miller, Jason (June 10, 2015). "Why The Briefcase Is the Worst Reality TV Show Ever". Time. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  10. ^ Starr, Michael (9 June 2015). "'The Briefcase' creator fires back at critics". Retrieved 1 November 2015.