Years ago, Dick Gregory helped Walter Hudson slim down from 1,400 pounds to 500 pounds in a matter of weeks. On a liquid diet, Hudson lost the equivalent of almost eight Michael Jacksons.

Now, speaking of Michael Jackson and Dick Gregory, we have this announcement just coming over the transom:

Internationally renowned activist, lecturer, and author, Dick Gregory, will begin a 40 day fast and an appeal to friends and fans around the world join in prayer every day at noon for the truth to come out in the Michael Jackson's case.

Gregory, who has known Jackson for many years said, "He's a good man, an I feel he's an innocent man who has been the target of a conspiracy to destroy his career for a long time.

"In my opinion there are people who have a financial interest in bringing Michael down," Gregory said, "and they seem to come out every time Michael has a major album to release."

Given that this is the first, major allegation in ten years, that's not exactly a ringing endorsement of Jackson's recording career.

Gregory doesn't detail whether it will be a total fast, a partial fast or a liquid diet fast. He also doesn't give his weight, although you'd have to guess it's somewhere in the middle of the Hudson-Jackson spectrum.