Despite a minor derailment that nearly threw all of the show's voice talent head first through a windshield, Futurama is finally full steam ahead ... again.

Variety reports that production on the new Comedy Central episodes has been restarted now that the principal voice talent has been coaxed back to the studio. This means that the show will be able to meet its 2010 target date.

That is, of course, unless there are unforeseen complications like, say, another writers' strike, an animator ink shortage, or an impromptu invasion led by the planet Omicron Persei 8. Negotiations with Lur are still pending.

The news that the original cast might not return was jarring, but after the shock wore off, I knew deep down that the likes of Billy West and Katey Sagal couldn't walk away from it. Not unless they were offered some kind of deal to be the ultimate ruler of the universe, but the chances of that are slim. There's a recession on.

Futurama doesn't meet the typical marketing model of a TV sitcom. It's extremely satirical, edgy without sacrificing its soul or emotion, and very critical of television. It's the broadcast equivalent of a hand biting dog with shark teeth.

The real reason for its success, other than solid writing, creativity and stellar performances, are its fans. They screamed so loud and so long that 20th Century Fox had no choice but to bring it back not once, but twice, and that's a hard thing for Sagal, West, DiMaggio and the rest to walk away from, no matter how much coin you can score from it. If you have an opportunity to be a part of something that people truly love, you would try to move the Earth itself to keep being a part of it.