[caption id="attachment_50072" align="aligncenter" width="607" caption="They will all be back! Photo Credit: Fox"][/caption]

We thought the mystery of Glee's season four players had been solved based on who attended upfronts earlier this week and some ominous tweets, but it seems we were wrong. Ryan Murphy has finally answered the question of who is returning, in the vague and misleading way he always loves to answer media questions, by saying; "They're all coming back. Anyone who is a regular is coming back. Everyone said yes."

Now "all coming back" certainly doesn't mean for the entire season and we wouldn't be surprised if these appearances were relegated to the season premiere or holiday episodes, where the show could use a boost and it would make sense to have the kids back home.

The one thing that is shocking and very, very surprising is that not one of the castmembers appeared in a pilot for the upcoming season. One would think that if they knew they were leaving they would try and strike while the iron was hot and land another series for fear of losing their chance. It makes it seem as if the booted members of the cast were told they would be back in some capacity for season four and told not to go out for a new show, which kind of sucks for them.

But rejoice Gleeks, it seems that you will be seeing all of your favorites, at some point, next season.

Exclusive: Ryan Murphy Tells Us Who’s Staying on Glee [NYMag]