Which Glee Cast Members Are in Danger of Being Replaced?

This week Glee creator Ryan Murphy announced that he will be kicking several of his New Directions stars to the curb in 2012 because "there is nothing more depressing than a high schooler with a bald spot." Well, except for a middle-aged white-rapping teacher who chooses to relive his glory days by dancing suggestively in front of a packed high school auditorium...but I digress. This is a serious threat for not only devoted Gleeks, but for the less talented, more aged actors posing as promgoers. (I'm talking to you, Monteith). Below, Movieline identifies which stars are highest on the endangered Glee-cies list.

1. Cory Monteith (Most Endangered)

Real Age: 28

To camouflage Monteith into the cast of supposed "teenagers," Finn Hudson regularly wears a letterman jacket, spouts dopey comments about life, and looks confused. By the time 2012 rolls around and Monteith's frown lines deepen though, it will be difficult to believe a 30-year-old accepting a high school diploma without a subplot about how Finn was held back for three years to deal with his father's death.

2. Mark Salling

Real Age: 28

Salling is slightly more believable playing a character over a decade younger than him, only because his leathery skin could just be a side effect of hard-living, soda machine-thieving and cougar hunting. But if earlier rumors are to be believed, Ryan Murphy is already trying to usher Mark Salling out of the cast for focusing too much on his solo music career.

3. Dianna Agron

Real Age: 24

Teen pregnancy has wizened Quinn Fabray beyond her years and it shows. The cheerleader and McKinley High Queen Bee could believably graduate next year (after a summer of taking advanced placement courses), enroll at a Christian college and maintain her promise ring-protected relationship with Sam (Chord Overstreet), long-distance-style.

4. Naya Rivera

Real Age: 23

Although actually younger than some of her cast mates, Rivera's character Santana has probably already slept with every eligible football player within a 30 mile radius. So either Santana needs to start lowering her already bargain basement standards, take an oath of abstinence or flee town. Otherwise, she'll just get bored.

5. Lea Michele

Real Age: 24

The most talented member of the cast, Michele could play hardball before 2012 and flee her star-making series for the big screen and/or a premium cable series more befitting of scantily-clad layouts in GQ.

6. Jenna Ushkowitz

Real Age: 24

Thick eyeliner, blue-highlighted hair and goth apparel will conceal her age more than the above castmates' wardrobes will...but not indefinitely.

7. Kevin McHale

Real Age: 22

Same goes with glasses, argyle sweater vests and leather gloves.

8. Amber Riley

Real Age: 24

The actress with the baby face and Aretha voice is secure next to her older-looking cast mates. And even when Mercedes does (potentially) graduate in 2012, I could see her still guest-starring as the teacher of a rival glee club...but that might require an advanced degree first.

9. Heather Morris

Real Age: 23

Although she may look more mature than some her peers, Heather Morris holds the golden ticket among the Glee cast, in that her ditzy character Brittany could convincingly be held back at McKinley High for an eternity.

10. Chris Colfer (Least Endangered)

Real Age: 20

Well, who would want to get rid of Kurt?

· Are Fans Ready for 'Glee 2.0'? [TV Guide]