Relationships, nerves are tested in couples’ ‘Race to the Altar’

If there’s anything an engaged couple don’t need in their lives during that critical juncture, it’s any more tension. As happy a face as our culture puts on the whole process of getting married, the weeks leading up to the Big Day can become an endurance test that many a relationship has failed to pass.

But when the chance to win an all-expenses-paid wedding helmed by event-designer-to-the-stars Colin Cowie was dangled in front of them, eight couples threw caution to the wind and signed on for a reality show seemingly crafted to stretch their love to the limit, NBC’s “Race to the Altar” (tonight at 8).

The eight-episode series premiered last week, with the contestants being flown into Las Vegas via helicopter and set up in sumptuous suites atop the posh Venetian Hotel and Casino. With cameras installed in the rooms, viewers were treated to towel-clad strategy sessions, arguments over sleeping arrangements and a little “What are we doing here?” cold feet.

Each episode includes that trusty reality-TV device, the physical challenge, as well as a “Newlywed Game” style quiz. The winners of the two tests jointly decide which couple will be voted off that week, with the last couple standing being married in high style on the show.

With the contestants down to seven couples tonight, viewers are nimbly reintroduced to the survivors with the help of host Lisa Dergen, a lissome lass with the deepest dimples this side of Jeff Probst. By winning last week’s challenges, Susan and Coyt (physical-test winners) and Becca and Andy (quiz champs) emerged as early favorites, but the other couples scramble quickly to either align themselves with one of the pairs or plot against them.

To help the contestants get to know each other better, the guys gather for a night on the town as the gals do the same. One group opts for drinking and dancing, while the other goes for shopping and snacking (can you guess which is which?).

But the real beauty of this series is the voting-off ceremony, in which the vanquished meet face-to-face with the victors for a stiff goodbye hug and some choice parting words. It’s a sublimely cringe-worthy confrontation, particularly tonight, and worth waiting out a second half that gets a bit too talky.