Alabama fact is misleading. Mobile did not have the first Mardi Gras celbrations. Mardi Gras is a Catholic/European tradition brought to the Americas by the French. The first Mardi Gras in the US was around the area that would become New Orleans. (On the exploration of the Mississippi River at Point du Mardi Gras). The first CITY in the US to officially celebrate Mardi Gras was Mobile because it was once the capital of the Louisiana Territory, followed by Biloxi (MS), and New Orleans (LA), and, in modern day, Baton Rouge.
Source: I am an area resident, backed up by wikipedia

I'm guessing females are given allowance because the pelvis of males and females have different dimensions. The female pelvis is (proportionally) wider and broader to allow for childbirth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvis#Sexual_dimorphism

Another famous one-take is the music video for "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls which won a VMA for Best Dance Video in 1997.

Although not TECHNICALLY a single shot, it's the two best takes spliced together. (The split occurs right after 2:40 in the video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewBQBMt5d_w