The Briefcase

The Briefcase was a CBS network reality TV series created and executively produced by Dave Broome, which aired from May 27 to June 26, 2015, lasting for one season & 6 episodes.

It was produced by 25-7 Productions and Sony Pictures Television.

Premise
In each episode, two American families undergoing financial hardship are each given a briefcase containing $101,000 and have to 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.

Reception
Reception of "The Briefcase" has been largely negative.

Ken Tucker, critic-at-large of Yahoo! TV, described it as "cynical and repulsive" for "passing off its exploitation...as uplifting, inspirational TV."

Jason Miller of Time.com called it "the worst reality TV show ever".

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."

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