With a shimmering silver catwalk and "SEXY" spelled out in huge gold letters decorating the Kodak Theater, home of the Academy Awards, the Thursday night crowd, warmed up by pop singer Timberlake, knew what was coming next.

Celebrity supermodel Gisele Bundchen, the first model of the evening, strolled onstage in a lace push up bra and panties with an elaborate plumage trailing her, as Timberlake eyed her, singing his popular new hit whose chorus proclaims: "I'm bringing sexy back."

Backlit dancers did the bump and grind in a retro tick-tack-toe grid reminiscent of Hollywood Squares, as the parade of underclad yet elaborately accessorized beauties took to the runway.

Brassieres, panties, tap pants, corsets in all colors but only one size -- body-revealing -- were accessorized with red vinyl stockings, bustles, and plenty of angel wings, Victoria's Secret's signature marketing motif.

The show, which is to be broadcast December 5 on CBS, is all about spectacle, flesh and excess. Usually held in New York, the fashion show was scrapped in 2004 amid a wave of broadcasting modesty that followed singer Janet Jackson's breast-baring "wardrobe malfunction" at the Super Bowl that year.

Any such modesty was not in sight Thursday night. Following a bagpiper onstage, models outfitted in tartan lingerie showed off something you may not want to wear on a chilly Scottish evening, while others pranced down the runway done up as sexy stewardesses and cheerleaders.

Showcasing Victoria's Secret casual PINK line, one scantily clad model dragged a pink comforter behind her as she walked the runway, in a look straight out of a young man's dorm room dream.

As a crowd including Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Quincy Jones looked on, the evening's dancers were replaced by gospel singers, fake snow fell from the ceiling, and a white-clad and fully clothed angel descended for the finale.

Victoria's Secret is a division of Limited Brands, whose retail chains include Express, Limited Stores, and Bath & Body Works.