Dead Micheal Jackson sings new song "Slave to the Rhythm" at the Billboard Music Awards

Michael Jackson's "live" performance at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards brought a mixed reaction Sunday night.

"Uncomfortable, odd and eerily interesting," is how public relations agent Simone Smallssummed it up in a tweet. "Not quite sure what to feel. #MissingMJ"

Uncomfortable because Jackson died nearly five years ago while preparing for a comeback tour. His remains are resting in a crypt in a Forest Lawn mausoleum.

But technology tricked viewers and the celebrity audience in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas -- into suspending disbelief for a few minutes to watch the pop icon onstage dancing and singing his "new" song "Slave to the Rhythm".

Ludacris, the rapper-actor who hosted the show, actually introduced it as "Live from the MGM Grand, Michael Jackson."

"He's baaaccck!" Mark Cuban,the owner of an NBA team and TV channel tweeted about Jackson's "hologram." Cuban added an Instagram video.

The dance moves were not really Michael Jackson's but apparently those of a stand-in performer who recreated his steps for a computer that then laid on an image intended to replicate Jackson. But where was the swagger -- like Charlie Chaplin -- that characterized Jackson's cool walk?