"Academics tend to have wonderfully infantile senses of humor"

John Lithgow's quote recommends that academics have an unique funny bone that is typically immature and childish. This might be taken a positive or negative statement, relying on the context. On one hand, it could be seen as a praise to academics, suggesting that they have a playful and also imaginative sense of humor that is not bound by the conventions of their adult years. On the other hand, it could be seen as an objection, indicating that academics are too premature to appreciate much more sophisticated kinds of wit. Ultimately, the interpretation of this quote depends on the person's point of view. Regardless, it is clear that John Lithgow thinks that academics have an one-of-a-kind funny bone that sets them aside from the remainder.