It’s only a scam if they’re being misleading. I’ve never heard anyone say “get an art degree, you’ll get rich!” It’s not a scam to study art simply because you want to develop your knowledge and talents in a structured way. Should art degrees cost as much as they do? Probably not, but “expensive” and “scam” are two different things.
One thing LotR does very well: lets men show emotions that aren’t anger. Frodo smiles, shouts Gandalf’s name excitedly, cracks a joke with him, and gives him a hug. That’s how you know they’re old friends.