HOW MUCH WOULD YOU SHARE?

 

CBS ANNOUNCES THE NEW REALITY SERIES

“THE BRIEFCASE,” PREMIERING WEDNESDAY, MAY 27

 

 

“The Briefcase” Features Families Experiencing Financial Setbacks
Who Are Given a Large Sum of Money and
Told to Make a Potentially Life-Altering Decision

Click Here To Watch A Preview

CBS announces the new reality show THE BRIEFCASE, featuring 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. The series premieres Wednesday, May 27 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

“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 THE BRIEFCASE Creator and Executive Producer Dave 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.”

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 is produced by 25/7 Productions and distributed by Sony Pictures Television. Dave Broome (Creator and Executive Producer, THE BIGGEST LOSER) and Faye Stapleton are executive producers.

 

The following families are participating in THE BRIEFCASE:

 

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.

 

Photos are available on www.cbspressexpress.com

 

The Briefcase Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBriefcaseCBS

 

The Briefcase Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Briefcase/400288683475407

 

CBS Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBSTweet

 

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Press Contacts:

Mallory Mason 818-655-1596  mallory.mason@cbs.com    

Lori DelliColli  603-824-6300  ladellicolli@cbs.com

 

Photo Contacts:

Kathleen Tanji  818-655-1543  kathleen.tanji@cbs.com

Cory Davis  212-975-3265  cory.davis@cbs.com