It’s no secret that the producers of American Idol like to keep the names of performers on finale night under wraps. 
 
 But some things are certain — Crystal Bowersox or Lee DeWyze will be crowned the season 9 champ on Wednesday, and fans will see the last of Simon Cowell before he jumps over to X Factor in 2011. 
 
 But a source confirms to PEOPLE that Paula Abdul will appear on the finale. “The appearance was supposed to be a surprise for Simon,” the source said. “It’s a ratings grab. And it’s a one-time thing … She and Simon are still close.” 
 
 Another source says a special send-off is planned for the cranky judge and will feature other Idol alums. 
 
 And among the superstars taking the stage? Watch for a great performance by Christina Aguilera. 
 
 Tell us: Who do you want to see perform on Idol’s finale night? 
 
 Sign up for PEOPLE’s American Idol Finale Live Blog to talk with editors about Lee and Crystal’s big night 
 
 
 
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 Get Box Office Alerts via Mobile FREE Newsletters Paula Abdul to star in CBS dance show Will serve as lead judge, exec producer on 'Got to Dance' By James Hibberd Paula Abdul (Getty) 
 
 
 
 Paula Abdul is returning to the judges' table as part of a new primetime talent competition series on CBS. 
 
 
 
 Abdul will be lead judge, executive producer, creative partner, mentor and coach on "Got to Dance," a series from Shine/Reveille based on the U.K. hit. 
 
 
 
 The show is billed as broadcast's first all-ages, all-genres dance series -- "from ballroom to break dance, bhangra to ballet, and tap to tango." Acts will compete for a panel of judges, with viewers getting to vote for their favorites during the semifinals and finals. 
 
 
 
 CBS is expected to announce Monday that Abdul is joining the series. 
 
 
 
 Since announcing via Twitter last year that she was leaving "American Idol," networks have been courting Abdul for an array of unscripted projects. In January, ABC made her an offer to appear on "Dancing With the Stars," and Fox reportedly has eyed her for Simon Cowell's 2011 singing-competition show "The X Factor." 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 CBS, which announced its fall schedule last week, likely will air "Got to Dance" midseason, raising the possibility of Abdul's new show competing directly against "Idol." Next year will be the first time that "Idol" won't have Cowell. 
 
 
 
 The British version of "Dance" debuted this year on Sky 1 and became one of the country's top-rated premium-network series. The series is a Shine Group format, created by Princess Prods. and Shine TV and produced by Reveille. Abdul, Elisabeth Murdoch, Howard T. Owens, Mark Koops and Robin Ashbrook are executive producers. Abdul is repped by UTA. 
 
 
 
 This marks the fourth major network to have a dance-competition series, joining ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," with NBC's "America's Got Talent" also having a foot in the genre. She's back!Paula Abdul is returning to the judges' table as part of a new primetime talent competition series on CBS.Abdul will be lead judge, executive producer, creative partner, mentor and coach on "Got to Dance," a series from Shine/Reveille based on the U.K. hit.The show is billed as broadcast's first all-ages, all-genres dance series -- "from ballroom to break dance, bhangra to ballet, and tap to tango." Acts will compete for a panel of judges, with viewers getting to vote for their favorites during the semifinals and finals.CBS is expected to announce Monday that Abdul is joining the series.Since announcing via Twitter last year that she was leaving "American Idol," networks have been courting Abdul for an array of unscripted projects. In January, ABC made her an offer to appear on "Dancing With the Stars," and Fox reportedly has eyed her for Simon Cowell's 2011 singing-competition show "The X Factor." As first reported in The Hollywood Reporter, CBS greenlighted "Got to Dance" in March; from the start, Abdul, the former "Idol" judge and experienced choreographer, was the network's top choice to fill a judges chair on the show. As part of her deal, Abdul will have an array of behind-the-scenes and on-camera responsibilities on the show.CBS, which announced its fall schedule last week, likely will air "Got to Dance" midseason, raising the possibility of Abdul's new show competing directly against "Idol." Next year will be the first time that "Idol" won't have Cowell.The British version of "Dance" debuted this year on Sky 1 and became one of the country's top-rated premium-network series. The series is a Shine Group format, created by Princess Prods. and Shine TV and produced by Reveille. Abdul, Elisabeth Murdoch, Howard T. Owens, Mark Koops and Robin Ashbrook are executive producers. Abdul is repped by UTA.This marks the fourth major network to have a dance-competition series, joining ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," with NBC's "America's Got Talent" also having a foot in the genre. Paula Abdul to star in CBS dance show Will serve as lead judge, exec producer on 'Got to Dance' By James Hibberd 
 
 
 
 Paula Abdul is returning to the judges' table as part of a new primetime talent competition series on CBS. 
 
 
 
 Abdul will be lead judge, executive producer, creative partner, mentor and coach on "Got to Dance," a series from Shine/Reveille based on the U.K. hit. 
 
 
 
 The show is billed as broadcast's first all-ages, all-genres dance series -- "from ballroom to break dance, bhangra to ballet, and tap to tango." Acts will compete for a panel of judges, with viewers getting to vote for their favorites during the semifinals and finals. 
 
 
 
 CBS is expected to announce Monday that Abdul is joining the series. 
 
 
 
 Since announcing via Twitter last year that she was leaving "American Idol," networks have been courting Abdul for an array of unscripted projects. In January, ABC made her an offer to appear on "Dancing With the Stars," and Fox reportedly has eyed her for Simon Cowell's 2011 singing-competition show "The X Factor." 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 CBS, which announced its fall schedule last week, likely will air "Got to Dance" midseason, raising the possibility of Abdul's new show competing directly against "Idol." Next year will be the first time that "Idol" won't have Cowell. 
 
 
 
 The British version of "Dance" debuted this year on Sky 1 and became one of the country's top-rated premium-network series. The series is a Shine Group format, created by Princess Prods. and Shine TV and produced by Reveille. Abdul, Elisabeth Murdoch, Howard T. Owens, Mark Koops and Robin Ashbrook are executive producers. Abdul is repped by UTA. 
 
 
 
 This marks the fourth major network to have a dance-competition series, joining ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," with NBC's "America's Got Talent" also having a foot in the genre. She's back!Paula Abdul is returning to the judges' table as part of a new primetime talent competition series on CBS.Abdul will be lead judge, executive producer, creative partner, mentor and coach on "Got to Dance," a series from Shine/Reveille based on the U.K. hit.The show is billed as broadcast's first all-ages, all-genres dance series -- "from ballroom to break dance, bhangra to ballet, and tap to tango." Acts will compete for a panel of judges, with viewers getting to vote for their favorites during the semifinals and finals.CBS is expected to announce Monday that Abdul is joining the series.Since announcing via Twitter last year that she was leaving "American Idol," networks have been courting Abdul for an array of unscripted projects. In January, ABC made her an offer to appear on "Dancing With the Stars," and Fox reportedly has eyed her for Simon Cowell's 2011 singing-competition show "The X Factor." As first reported in The Hollywood Reporter, CBS greenlighted "Got to Dance" in March; from the start, Abdul, the former "Idol" judge and experienced choreographer, was the network's top choice to fill a judges chair on the show. As part of her deal, Abdul will have an array of behind-the-scenes and on-camera responsibilities on the show.CBS, which announced its fall schedule last week, likely will air "Got to Dance" midseason, raising the possibility of Abdul's new show competing directly against "Idol." Next year will be the first time that "Idol" won't have Cowell.The British version of "Dance" debuted this year on Sky 1 and became one of the country's top-rated premium-network series. The series is a Shine Group format, created by Princess Prods. and Shine TV and produced by Reveille. Abdul, Elisabeth Murdoch, Howard T. Owens, Mark Koops and Robin Ashbrook are executive producers. Abdul is repped by UTA.This marks the fourth major network to have a dance-competition series, joining ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," with NBC's "America's Got Talent" also having a foot in the genre. 
 
 
 
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– After much speculation about where Paula Abdul would land after American Idol, we have an answer: Got to Dance. In addition to serving as lead judge on the new reality series, which is a sort of So You Think You Can Dance/America's Got Talent mash-up, Abdul is also an executive producer and will mentor contestants, says the Hollywood Reporter. The all-ages competition is popular in Britain, and bills itself as featuring everything “from ballroom to break dance.” The CBS show will likely air midseason—just like Idol. Speaking of her former haunt, Abdul might make one last stop there on Wednesday for the season finale (and Simon Cowell’s farewell show), a source tells People.