No, this is not a joke.
Per Deadline a reboot of the show with Jason Katims (Parenthood, Friday Night Lights) production company behind it has been ordered straight to series. No word of who it will star or who is writing it (though, Katims seems a reasonable guess as he'll serve as the showrunner), but by all accounts it appears to be a part of a larger strategy to make "feel-good" programming.
Highway to Heaven was Michael Landon's post-Little House on the Praire tv show and put him on the map for being the David Boreanaz of the day with back-to-back successful tv series. The show was about an angel (Landon) helping people to fulfill their fates. Not the most original idea since Touched by an Angel, Joan of Arcadia and God Friended Me exists, but maybe Michael Landon's name will give this series a boost. And it's also on Fox, since this is what we want from them.
Highway to Heaven rated in the top 20 in the first season and second season, but started declining and became more of a utility player until it was cancelled in its fifth season.
What's your reaction to this series order?