Rarely? So you do watch them occasionally? That's admirable dedication and true love.

To be honest, I rarely watch the extended editions in their entirety. I re-watch my favourite scenes again and again. My wife and kids hate me!
Hey, it's a kind of magic!

I definitely agree with you regarding the Hobbit.
I admit I did enjoy some of the new scenes included in the extended editions, but when I watch those films again, I'll be watching the theatrical releases.

Quite right. But this is The Lord of the Rings and the extended editions were brilliant in my humble opinion. However, I think The Hobbit trilogy was needlessly excessive and rather proves your point.
Hey, it's a kind of magic!

MAGA! FAFO! Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. Dumbocraps: evil people who celebrate murder.

Quite often the opposite is true. Look at Star Wars. Ask the original fans from the 70s and 80s if they wished they hadn't asked for more.

Quite long I agree, but more wants more if one is a fan!
Hey, it's a kind of magic!

I got as far as 'Gandalf arrives in the Shire', which was a couple of seconds of him in his rickety cart and I stopped watching.
Those movies are too long as it is. They need to release versions where an actual editor has been allowed to trim them.