Following the anticipated "Saturday Night Live" parody of the final presidential debate, the show's host for the night, Tom Hanks, stepped on stage to deliver the show's opening monologue.

Taking a cue from Esquire Magazine's September story declaring Hanks to be "America's Dad," the Oscar-winning actor sat down for a heart-to-heart talk with the troubled teenager that is America.

Image source: YouTube

Sporting a "Mister Rogers" sweater and speaking in the soft, comforting tones most of us envision coming from a perfect parent, Hanks deftly touched on many of the problems and issues confounding the country.

"How you doing champ? Rough year...you've got a lot going on inside you," is how Hanks opened the piece before touching on the problems of a teenager, which closely resembled the issues America is currently wrestling with.

"Remember when you lived through that depression...this is nothing. You're growing up. This is just an awkward phase," said a reassuring Hanks.

"America's dad" touched on the nation's debt asking, "So, you okay with money? Because I heard you were in some debt." Hanks paused briefly before adding, "I'd like to help you out...But, if I do, you're never gonna learn."

The monologue also mentioned topics like immigration, guns and marijuana, "Hey we can smell it...the weed," chided Hanks.

The "SNL" veteran — this was his 9th time hosting — wrapped up his monologue by reminding America of just how "dang creative" we are, "Think of everything you've done...You went to the moon...You invented the internet...You created a cannon that shoots t-shirts," he said.

Expressing confidence in America's ability to deal with the "big decision" we face in a couple of weeks, Hanks closed with a little parental cheerleading, "I want you to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go show the world what else you can stuff into a pizza crust!"

The hashtag #AmericasDad was trending on Twitter last night and support for the monologue was strong.

Watch the monologue below: