What is "needle-through-arm"

Needle-through-arm is a magic illusion that was created by Bruce Spangler and later popularized by comedy actor/magician Harry Anderson. The trick can be performed as part of either a stage magic or a parlor magic routine. As the name would suggest, needle-through-arm relies on shock value to have a comedic effect.

Although the trick popularized by Anderson is an illusion, other magicians, such as David Blaine, have performed the trick by actually sticking the needle through a fistula surgically created in the performer's arm.