Why is there so much setup just to tell a bad joke?

First frame is irrelevant.

Second frame text could be reduced to fit into the third frame.

Third frame is just there to warm us that we’re about to hear a bad joke.

Fourth frame tells the bad joke, and then assure itself that it really was a bad joke.

If you really wanted to tell a Village People joke, why not put it in one frame? Have those three uniformed people walk up to the counter and Bear can say their joke.