The episode's importance lies in its introduction to the anti-alien sentiment of Earth.
It was actually hinted at in the first episode on the news casts for Santiago's re-election; they mentioned putting "earth first" or something like that. It seemed completely innocent at the time.
Yeah, the poet and especially the couple were annoying, but they were something for the main characters to play off of, especially Londo and his too-tight shoes. Some important character insight there.
Actor note: Winnie Cooper was the Centauri girl.
