 In a Top 100 list compiled by VH1 and Entertainment Weekly in 2000 , Jackson 's performance was ranked as the sixth greatest rock ' n ' roll TV moment . Five years later , Entertainment Weekly named Jackson 's Motown 25 performance as one of the most important pop culture moments in history . " It was a moment that crossed over in a way that no live musical performance ever had . There was a messianic quality to it " , Entertainment Weekly editor Steve Daly commented . The performance has been shown on television numerous times . It is also featured on the DVDs : HIStory on Film , Volume II and the bonus DVD of Thriller 25 . 
