News flash: Men 18-24 are watching less TV and playing more games...no kidding

The recent buzz in the media world is about solving this riddle: Where have the young men gone during prime time? Nielsen has reported that nearly 20 percent fewer men aged 18 to 24 are watching prime time TV this fall versus last year. The drop is 12 percent for men aged 18 to 34 (my demographic). These happen to be two of the most sought after demographics for advertisers. Of course, TV network execs have cried foul, saying it can't be true and that Nielsen is wrong. Other media analysts are realizing that this data just confirms our hunches: TV is losing people to video games.

The question I pose to the TV broadcast world is: What did you expect? Here are my TV viewing options for a typical weeknight, which break down into a few easy-to-gag-on formulas:

• Reality matchmaking shows involving multiple suitors, like Joe Millionaire. A lot of tears, catfights, and awkward conversation. A bit too much like my work life.
• Sitcom with a dumpy guy married to a chick who is way out of his league, like According to Jim. Way too much like my home life.
• The blue-chip franchise drama, like ER, which lost me a few seasons ago. When a show has been around for so long, they keep having to up the ante on unbelievable events. I think they've even had the plague and a raging inferno in the past year. Far too similar to holidays with my in-laws.

His brother is rolling over in his grave.

For the most part, TV has failed to inspire and challenge us in recent years. There is such a copycat mentality and tendency to play it safe. TV is a passive medium--and I can't change the events about to unfold.

Consider my other options on a given weeknight. I can throw in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and I decide whether I follow the light path or indulge my dark side. I can pop in Freedom Fighters, and suddenly I'm throwing Molotov cocktails at the Soviets who have taken over New York City. Or, if I were smarter and had a longer attention span, I could play through Age of Mythology: The Titans, advance a civilization, orchestrate a detailed campaign, and [gasp] even learn something.

Now we're talking!

Games are taking over. Consider that a recent Gallup Poll showed that 71 percent of teenage boys had played a game in the Grand Theft Auto series. Setting aside violence and video games for a separate discussion, can you think of a TV show that reaches 71 percent of teenage boys?? I can't. Our own GameSpot users report spending an average of 15 hours a week playing games and only 11 hours watching TV. After a long day of work or school, we're all just looking for something that's fun, challenging, and doesn't insult our intelligences. And games have answered our call.

So, Mr. Network TV exec, you've seen my entertainment options. Still think it's just the Nielsen numbers that are messed up?