It was a critical and popular success at first, no question, but I truly believe that by intersecting with the rise of MTV by breaking the color barrier there, and then using Hollywood studio quality video as a platform to visualize and showcase Jackson's particular genius with irresistible fare like Billie Jean and Beat It, the album crossed over like no album ever did. Jackson's potent fame from the previous Off the Wall and earlier Jackson Five went into another level, and then his appearance at the Motown anniversary special nailed it. It is like everything came together perfectly.