Ep 3. A Bellyful of Neeldes

Penn & Teller: Fool Us is a show where amateur and professional magicians take the stage with their best tricks and illusions, hoping to fool the titular Penn & Teller. If they manage to stump the masters, they earn the opportunity to perform as their opening act in Las Vegas.

Season 1, Episode 3 is titled "A Bellyful of Needles," and features four different performers showcasing their skills. The first is David Caserta, whose act centers around an ancient Egyptian artifact that he uses to predict audience members' selected Tarot cards. Next up is juggling duo Kari and Billy, who wow the judges with their impressive coordination and humorous script. After them is Nathan Burton, whose high-energy act involves a disappearing motorcycle and a levitating woman.

Finally, the episode ends with the titular bellyful of needles act from magician Michael Close. Close is a seasoned performer who has worked in the magic industry for decades, and he takes the stage with a serious and focused demeanor. He introduces his act as a unique take on the classic needle trick, in which a magician seemingly swallows hundreds of needles and then pulls them back out on a thread.

Close explains that he has been inspired by his fascination with oral stage magic, and has spent years perfecting his technique for the needle trick. He thanks Penn & Teller for inspiring him to create this particular variation, which he has not yet shared with the public.

As Close begins his performance, he asks for a volunteer from the audience to help him verify that the needles are real. He selects a young woman named Monica, who seems both nervous and excited to participate. Close then takes out a small container filled with needles and demonstrates that they are all real by pricking himself with one of them.

Next, Close drinks a glass of water and a glass of grape juice, swishing them around in his mouth for a few moments before showing the audience that they are both still in his mouth. He then begins the process of swallowing the needles, one by one, dipping each one in water before placing it on his tongue and tilting his head back to send it down his throat.

The audience watches in silence as Close repeats this process dozens of times, swallowing needle after needle until he has consumed what must be hundreds of them. Monica watches with disbelief, occasionally holding her breath or gasping as Close continues to swallow.

Finally, Close announces that he is ready to pull the needles back out. He takes a long, thin thread and carefully begins to insert it into his mouth, pulling it out a little at a time as he threads it through the needles in his stomach. Monica watches intently, holding up the other end of the thread so that Close can loop it through each needle in turn.

With each tug of the thread, the audience gasps as a needle reappears through Close's lips. He continues until all of the needles have been removed and strung onto the thread, holding them up triumphantly for the judges to see.

Penn & Teller, impressed but not fooled, ask Close a few questions about his act and his techniques. Close explains that he has a system for controlling the needles in his mouth and throat, ensuring that they do not puncture anything vital as they are swallowed.

Ultimately, Close does not manage to fool Penn & Teller with his stomachful of needles, but he does earn their respect and admiration for his skill and dedication to the craft. The episode ends with the judges giving him a standing ovation, and Close thanking them for the opportunity to showcase his unique talent.