diff --git a/commands.py b/commands.py
index 11e47e3..ddb09ac 100644
--- a/commands.py
+++ b/commands.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def run_check(clargs):
 
     get_data = DataGetter(clargs.timeout, clargs.quiet)
     run = serial if clargs.serial else parallel
-    data = run(get_data, pvs, chans)
+    data = run(get_data, pvs, names=chans)
 
     df = pd.DataFrame(data).T
     df = df.infer_objects() #TODO: why is this needed?
diff --git a/utils/execute.py b/utils/execute.py
index 722fbc6..cc72f4d 100644
--- a/utils/execute.py
+++ b/utils/execute.py
@@ -1,20 +1,21 @@
 from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
 
 
-def parallel(func, targets, names=None):
+def parallel(func, *targets, names=None):
     with ThreadPoolExecutor() as executor:
-        results = executor.map(func, targets)
-        if names:
+        results = executor.map(func, *targets)
+        if names is not None:
             return dict(zip(names, results))
         else:
             return list(results)
 
 
-def serial(func, targets, names=None):
-    if names:
-        return {n: func(t) for n, t in zip(names, targets)}
+def serial(func, *targets, names=None):
+    targets = zip(*targets)
+    if names is not None:
+        return {n: func(*t) for n, t in zip(names, targets)}
     else:
-        return [func(t) for t in targets]
+        return [func(*t) for t in targets]