Is it possible to use a UK NES in the US (plug and TV hookups)? Or is the only way to play those pain-in-the-ass PAL games (like Elite) with a PAL to NTSC converter?

Whilst I'm not too sure of the answer on this one, what I can tell you is that dependant on the type of TV you have, there's a possibility it will play but in Black & White, not colour. I know that's the case if you play a PAL SMS on an NTSC TV. However, I was told that this would be the case with a Brazilian system I bought for use in the UK also (ie that it would play in B&W since it's not strictly PAL), but most new TV's have the option when selecting whether a signal is PAL or NTSC to put it on auto. So on my older TV the system does play, but in B&W, whereas on my TV that's like 18 months old it plays in full colour!

I know this may not be the same as trying a PAL NES on an NTSC system, but could be the same I guess.

Ok. I finally had some time to play around with my UK NES to try and get it working. The pronged outlet connection on the UK AC adaptor does not fit in a US outlet. So I modded it. I removed the UK connector and replaced it with a US one. I was lucky that the UK connector was easily removeable -- it had screws. And I was also lucky to have a US connector that was held together by screws. I swapped them and zoom zam! I got the UK fully powered up. I'd assume that the other way to do this would be to splice the US connector onto the end of the UK adaptor cord.

Now I've just got to figure out how to get it the games showing on my TV. I've tried the AV connections, but those aren't working. I think it's a matter of what channel it's set to. I've got an old TV so the channel options are limited.

Hmmm, strange that this is a problem...

Here in Sweden I can use a NTSC NES, just by using my PAL stuff. I just use the NTSC NES unit, and then I take my PAL A/V video cable, and the power adapter from my PAL system. I thought it would be the same if you did it the other way. The only thing I have to worry about is that the TV connected to the NTSC NES can handle 60 Hz, but that's no problem with newer ones.

I have a 15 year old hitachi tv that my parents bought in Spain (gave it to me like 10 years ago), that I can set PAL, NTSC, and SECAM.  Pretty sweet when you want to play imports ^_^