The much-anticipated Gossip Girl threesome scene in next week's episode of the hit show is coming under criticism from the Parents Television Council (PTC).

The group has released an open letter to The CW that they are objecting to the idea of such scene, which they are claiming is "reckless and irresponsible."

"Gossip Girl routinely depicts teenagers engaging in promiscuous, consequence-free sexual behavior, and that's bad enough," PTC president Tim Winter wrote.

"But will you now be complicit in establishing a precedent and expectation that teenagers engage in behavior heretofore associated primarily with adult films?"

Should the PTC launch a formal complaint with the government and regulators agree with the PTC about the episode content, the CW could face a large fine.

Rumored threesome participants Dan and Vanessa.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules stipulate that the government may pull "unsatisfactory or unsuitable or contrary to public interest" program.

It is not outside the realm of possibility that the episode could be nixed by the FCC, but we don't see it happening ... unless the scene is way racier than thought.

The episode, "They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They?" airs next week, and while the threesome scene has not been leaked, a couple of promos have hyped it up.

Speculation about it has also been running rampant for weeks.

In concluding its letter of protest, the PTC pleaded to the CW to "ask yourself, how does airing this program serve your obligation to serve the public interest?"

The CW has not publicly responded to the letter but has released two sneak previews from the episode instead. The clips contain no hints of the threesome.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.