well, yes, i love explaining LOTR, but only when they understand. If they don't get it after the fifth time or totally disdain the whole thing and laugh it off, then i start to get impatient.
luckily my friend understood it all and (i think) liked it.
which is definitely the best reaction i've gotten from any of my friends.
EDIT: I must admit I'm a bit of a Leggybopper myself... Just a little bit though. hehe...