Wednesday on TV: 'The Briefcase' tries to uplift, but doesn't quite get there

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"The Briefcase" (7 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2) is an attempt at an uplifting reality show that's only partly successful.

It's sort of interesting. But uplifting? Not particularly.

The premise is that in each episode, a family going through economic difficulty is given a briefcase with $101,000 in cash and told it's theirs. After they've had time to celebrate their good fortune, they're told that they have to decide how much to keep and how much to give to another family in economic distress.

What they don't know is that the other family has also been given a $101,000 briefcase and the same instructions.

We're along for the ride as the families make their decisions. They hav a chance to show what their true character is.

Or do they? They're well aware they're being filmed for TV. Are they making decisions because they're good people, or because they fear they'll look like awful people when the episodes air?

We'll never know.

And, quite frankly, after watching the first couple of episodes, I was pretty much bored with "The Briefcase."

Elsewhere on TV ...

"500 Questions" (7 p.m., ABC/4): The quiz-show competition continues.

"MasterChef" (7 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13): The Top 22 chefs using 20 common ingredients to prepare a dish for the judges.

"iHeartTadio Country Festival" (8 p.m., NBC/Ch.4): Scheduled performers include Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Brantley Gilbert, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley, Justin Moore and the Band Perry.

NBA playoffs (7 p.m., ESPN): Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors

"Bullseye" (8 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13): Four men and four women compete in a series of extreme physical challenges in which they literally aim themselves at the target for a $50,000 prize. Kellen Lutz ("Twilight") is the host.

MLS (8:30 p.m., KMYU): Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles Galaxy

"Celebrity Wife Swap" (9 p.m., ABC/Ch. 4): Verne Troyer and Hines Ward's significant others trade places. (Season premiere)

""Ripper Street" (11 p.m., BBC America): A body is found stuffed inside a barrel.

"Hot In Cleveland" (11 p.m., TV Land): The show's memorable moments, episodes and bloopers are recalled by the cast and crew.

"Big Time Hollywood" (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central): Real-life drama plays out on the set of Ben and Jack's film. (Season finale)