Widescreen monitors are better IMO. Most games support widescreen resolutions such as 1680x1050, and they are even better for videos since most are widescreen as well.
widescreen also has its plus sides in gaming as with a wider resolution you have a wider field of view. Hence allowing you to see more of the map or environment than your opponents or teammates can.
The first time you load up your game on a 22" widescreen you won't be able to stop smiling! You soon get used to it though and start watching and waiting for the price of 24" to drop lol
They're right! When playing CSS I sometimes go into spectate mode to eat or talk on the phone, and many a time you'll see someone miss a guy coming in from a doorway on the far right side of the screen because they're not in widescreen and you are. I know you're not looking for something like this, but this shows you the visual benefits of widescreen: