David Walton plays Vance, half of one of NBC's "Perfect Couples"

Steadfast bachelors and single gals may argue there's no such thing, but many people in committed relationships strive to be "perfect couples."

The problem is, those bachelors and bachelorettes might be right. A new sitcom pokes fun at the foibles of modern relationships as twosomes try to fool themselves -- and each other -- into believing they've got it all figured out. "Perfect Couples" airs Thursday, Jan. 27, on NBC.

The series revolves around three very different couples dealing with different stages of their relationships. Kyle Bornheimer and Christine Woods star as husband and wife Dave and Julia, a relatable, "normal" couple worried they've fallen into a romance rut.

Dave's needy best friend Vance (David Walton) is involved in a volatile relationship with Amy. While Dave and Julie struggle to stay cool, Vance and Amy turn up the heat with their fiery passion.

Then there's Rex (Hayes MacArthur) and Leigh (Olivia Munn), the self-proclaimed relationship "experts" who attempt to mold the other couples into their own idealized state of perfection.

Viewers got a sneak peek at "Perfect Couples" before the holidays when the network tried to give the show a running start at the post-New Year's ratings game. NBC set up the preview with a lead-in from the season finale of "The Sing-Off" on Dec. 20.

Response to the sneak preview episode was lukewarm, as the general consensus among bloggers and critics indicated the show needed work but had potential. Just how much potential remains to be seen.

Luckily, the team behind the show knows a thing or two about prime-time success. The comedy was created by Jon Pollack and Scott Silveri, veterans of such huge hits as "30 Rock" and "Friends." When NBC announced it had picked up the romantic comedy last May, network exec Angela Bromstad threw her support behind them and their new show.

"Jon and Scott are hugely talented writer-producers and they've really delivered with 'Perfect Couples,'" said Bromstad.  "The comedy includes a cast of three distinctive couples who share the same issues and will draw viewers in with their relatable stories."

Pollack serves as an executive producer on the series, a role he previously filled for NBC sitcoms "Just Shoot Me" and "Spin City." More recently, he earned a nod from the Writer's Guild of America for his work on "30 Rock."

Creative partner Silveri, who's also signed on as executive producer for the new series, is another familiar face around the NBC offices. His career began with a writing gig on "Mad About You," and from there he went to work on the Emmy-winning comedy "Friends," eventually becoming an executive producer.

"Perfect Couples" director Andy Ackerman has worked on such iconic series as "Seinfeld," "Cheers," "Frasier" and "Everybody Loves Raymond."

The fresh cast also boasts some impressive credentials.

Bornheimer's breakout role as Sam Briggs in the acclaimed 2008 series "Worst Week" made critics sit up and take notice. His on-screen wife Woods may be remembered as FBI Agent Janis Hawk from ABC's "FlashForward" last season.

Viewers may recognize Walton from his recent stint in NBC's "100 Questions," while his "Perfect Couples" partner Ellis is best known as the waitress in the cable series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

Bornheimer's fellow "Worst Week" castmate MacArthur has recently made the jump to the big screen in such films as "Life as We Know It" (2010) and "She's Out of My League" (2010). Renaissance woman Munn, the first star to be cast in the series, has appeared in " Attack of the Show" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."

It's an impressive, albeit daunting, pedigree for a fledgling series still trying to find its wings. "Perfect Couples" has some big shoes to fill as it follows in the footsteps of hugely successful NBC comedies of yesteryear.

The show's first hurdle, however, will be to snatch viewers with a taste for thirtysomething comedy. Before NBC can even dream of reliving the glory days of "Friends," the show must beat out its competition. CBS poses a big threat with William Shatner's "$#*! My Dad Says," a rookie ratings hit  that airs in the exact same timeslot. "Perfect Couples" also faces off against Fox's "American Idol" and ABC's "Wipeout." However, wedged between "Community" and "The Office," "Perfect Couples" certainly stands a fighting chance.

Direct competition aside, the show also bears a striking resemblance to ABC's "Better with You," which also profiles three couples at different stages in their relationships. The difference is there's more of an age span between pairs in the ABC series, with a long-term unmarried couple, a new match and a husband-and-wife of 35 years. ABC's offering may appeal to a wider general audience, but the coveted younger demographics may prefer the friendlier dynamic of NBC's couples.

Only time will tell whether NBC's "Perfect Couples" can live up to the name. Tune in Thursdays to decide.