When a British television company contacted Zach Peterson about videotaping at Dante's, he hesitated.

The Brits wanted to use the longtime college tavern he owns in the University District in a reality show about serial killers. This episode was about Ted Bundy, who, investigators believe, committed at least three dozen murders and possibly more than 100. Bundy began his killing spree in this area.

"Obviously, it's a little off-color. We're a college bar. I wouldn't want to cause damage to our image in any way," said Peterson, 36. "I had mixed feelings about the whole thing."

In the early 1970s, Bundy used to frequent Dante's. The young woman believed to be his first victim reportedly had been seen at Dante's the night she disappeared. Lynda Ann Healy vanished from the University District in February 1974.

One part of the British TV series would feature a psychic visiting places where serial killers have been to sense whether their presence is still there — in this case, more than three decades later.

A local actor would be hired to portray Bundy sitting at the bar or standing by the pool tables, assessing the other patrons. It was a nonspeaking part.

All in all, yes, perhaps a bit off-color.

Peterson mulled it over and decided to go ahead.

"I think it's just interesting history, that's all," he said.

Peterson has owned Dante's since 1996, when he bought it from his father, Larry Peterson, who had bought the tavern with a former UW fraternity brother back in 1968.

And so, on Saturday morning, a cheerful, six-person crew from Twofour, which makes "factual entertainment" programming sold in the United Kingdom and around the world ("The Beckhams Go To Hollywood," "Boob Envy," "Life Coaches From Hell"), showed up at the tavern.

Setting not much different

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