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2001 MTV Video Music Awards

MTV

Apparently Michael Jackson wanted to get the dust off his signature black penny loafers 24 hours ahead of schedule. He performed in front of a U.S. audience for the first time in years when he joined 'NSYNC onstage at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Toward the end of the group's performance of "Pop," the words "King of Pop" appeared on a giant Etch a Sketch, only to be replaced by a silhouette of Jackson. As the oversized drawing device was elevated, Jackson, dressed in a white V-neck T-shirt and a black shirt and pants, came onstage and started to do the robot, pop-lock and show off his often-imitated spins and feet shuffling, but he did not sing.

Jackson's only acknowledgement to the audience, which gave him a standing ovation, was a single point of the finger.

CBS News

It wasn't listed on the program and it lasted less than a minute, but Michael Jackson's surprise performance with 'N Sync was the most talked-about moment of MTV's Video Music Awards.

Fatboy Slim's six awards for “Weapon of Choice,” and 'N Sync's four for “Pop” were overshadowed Thursday night by Jackson's brief appearance, which came at the end of 'N Sync's performance.

After a giant Etch-A-Sketch drew his frame, Jackson emerged, doing his trademark, gravity-defying moves. Afterward, he received a standing ovation.

Ben Stiller, Sheryl Crow and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs were among the stars who considered Jackson the evening's highlight.

“I thought he did a good job pop-locking,” rapper Snoop Dogg said after the show.