Alan Cumming just delivered one of the best opening monologues in late night this year

Earlier this week, Alan Cumming stepped in for Jimmy Kimmel on his eponymous talk show, and it was one for the books.

The 12-minute, must-watch segment kicks off with Cumming graciously asking us, the audience, how we're doing – no, like, how are we really doing? It's a simple question that's rarely asked in the media, and it's definitely a heavy one to answer, especially if you're like me, someone with way too much weighing on their minds these days. 

From there, Alan goes into a passionate speech about waking up to the government-sanctioned cruelty that seems to be dominating virtually every aspect of American life, especially for the trans community, a group that is among the most vulnerable members of the population. Punctuated by some requisite punchlines, Cumming's powerful monologue is one to watch and behold: