The reality series The Briefcase is set to debut on CBS on May 27, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT, with 12 families participating in the life-changing show. The new series is executive produced by Dave Broome (The Biggest Loser) and Faye Stapleton, and season one is made up of six episodes each featuring two families.
“The Briefcase is an eye-opening look into what matters most in people’s lives, taking the audience on an emotional roller coaster ride with a shocking ending each week,” said Broome. “I’ve been incredibly impressed by just how generous Americans are, even with shrinking paychecks and rising debt, when there’s little left to give.”
The Premise:
Each week, two families have 72 hours to learn details about each other’s challenging circumstances and make the weighty decision of what to do with $101,000. However, what they don’t know is that the family with whom they are considering sharing this financial windfall received an identical briefcase with the same instructions. Throughout their journeys, relationships within both families will be tested and beliefs questioned as they find out what really matters most in their lives, and how much importance they place on values such as love, generosity, compassion and faith.
The Briefcase Families:
Bergin Family
Joe: Ice Cream Truck Owner
Kim: Part-Time Event Planner
Three children, ages 15, 13 and 12
Matthews, N.C.
After Joe was laid off from his corporate job 10 years ago, he and his wife, Kim, started an ice cream truck business which is struggling.
Bronson Family
Dave: Injured Retired Iraq Vet
Cara: Nurse
One child, age 3, with another on the way
Manchester, N.H.
Dave is an American hero whose Humvee exploded when he was in Iraq and he lost his leg. He and his wife, Cara, are expecting their second child this summer. Living on one income with a growing family has put a significant amount of stress on the Bronsons.
Wylie Family
Matt: Former Steel Industry Worker
Becky: Stay-at-Home Mom
Two children, ages 20 and 16
Rio Vista, Texas
After suffering a bad back injury almost 20 years ago and losing his well-paying job in the steel industry, Matt now works as the local constable. Becky and Matt admit that their financial situation has made life difficult, but they believe strongly in community service and rely heavily on their Christian faith to guide them.
Bailey Family
Tonya: Director of the nonprofit City Year
Leila: Managing Director of the nonprofit City Year
Two children, ages 14 and 9
Dorchester, Mass.
Three years ago, Tonya and Leila took in Leila’s nephews, Milton and Jaden, and today the children are thriving. Taking on the responsibility of two children comes with added costs, and they have put their dream of having a child of their own on hold.
Scott Family
Josh: Telecommunications Installer
Susan: Sheriff’s Office Clerk
Mechanicsville, Md.
Josh and Susan hope to expand their family and adopt a child, but living paycheck to paycheck has made it difficult to make their dream come true. With their large amount of debt and the hefty price of adoption, they fear that it may never become reality.
Musolino Family
John: Commercial Fisherman in Florida
Amanda: Stay-at-Home Mom in North Carolina
Three children, ages 12, 10 and 7
Fuqua Varina, N.C.
John and Amanda were living the American dream until they lost their business and were forced to sell their house. With the family based in North Carolina and John’s fishing job in Florida, the family spends more than half the year apart, straining their relationship.
Mata Family
Richard: High School Teacher
Esperanza: Special Ed Teacher
Two children, ages 19 and 16
Boyle Heights, Calif.
The Matas are extremely passionate about their Mexican heritage, and they all perform together in a Mariachi band on the weekends. In addition to playing, they run a Mariachi conservatory to teach youth the art in hopes of keeping them off the streets of Los Angeles. Their value of education has driven them into large debt with student loans, and as teachers they often find themselves spending their own money on supplies.
Melanson Family
Mark: Firefighter
Cara: Stay-at-Home Mom
Four children, ages 14, 11, 9 and 7
Hingham, Mass.
Living on one income with four children is a challenge financially for Mark and Cara, but over the past six years they’ve managed to foster multiple children. Their eldest son started the charity “Guys with Pies” that has raised more than $30,000, and Cara is going back to school to become a lawyer so she can help advocate for foster children.
Moya Family
Gabe: Insurance Agent
Krystal: Stay-at-Home Mom
Six children, ages 9, 6, 4, 2, and 2-year-old twins
Albuquerque, N.M.
Gabe and Krystal Moya are high school sweethearts whose lives revolve around faith and family. The Moya’s finances hit rock bottom in 2009, but through all the hard times, they remain positive, feel blessed, and are determined to raise their children with strong faith.
Vendely/Salgado Family
Amari Vendely: Unemployed
Natalie Salgado: Medical Assistant
Three children, ages 7, 5 and 3
Miami, Fla.
Amari and Natalie’s financial situation hit a rough patch when Natalie was laid off from her position as a medical assistant. She has since found another job, but the time unemployed in-between jobs took a toll on the family. In addition there will be extra expenses for Amari’s transition. He was born female, but after giving birth to two children and living as a woman for most of her adult life, he now lives as a man.
Aponte/Kassimatis Family
Mike Aponte: Welder
Andrea Kassimatis: Pediatric Nurse
Three children, ages 14, 7 and 11 months
Union Beach, N.J.
Mike and Andrea have been together for nine years. In 2009, they invested in a house, but shortly after completing the renovations, Hurricane Sandy hit the New Jersey coast and destroyed what they had built.
Owens Family
Robert: Educational Consultant
Lucy: Special Programs Coordinator
Two children, ages 9 and 3
Dayton, Ohio
Robert and Lucy place high importance on education within their family. Robert is an educational consultant with a master’s degree from Wright University and working on his doctorate. Lucy is a special programs coordinator at Wright University. With large student loans and trying to pay for their children’s education, they have a hard time staying afloat financially.
